Broadcast Technicians
Median wage · national
$59,570
Range: $40K – $84K
Employed
21K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: associate's degree
HUMANITIES
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners earn $72,420 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $53,760 and $100,780. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.
- Median Wage
- $72,420
- Employed Nationally
- 13K
- Openings / Year
- 1,700
- Entry Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR)
Court Monitor
Court Recorder
Court Recording Monitor
Court Reporter
How Much Do Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners Make?
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners earn $72,420 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,760 and $100,780. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$72,420
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$54K–$101K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$53,760
Entry-level
$72,420
Median
$100,780
Experienced
What Do Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies, committee meetings, and other proceedings, using computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines, or stenomasks.
- Proofread transcripts for correct spelling of words.
- Ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements.
- Provide transcripts of proceedings upon request of judges, lawyers, or the public.
- Transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Writing
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Time Management
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners?
The BLS projects -0.3% employment change for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 1,700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -0.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
1,700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
13K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $72,420 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,590 | $103,640 | +43.1% |
| 2 | New York | 1,240 | $109,220 | +50.8% |
| 3 | Florida | 1,070 | $50,540 | -30.2% |
| 4 | Texas | 970 | $105,550 | +45.7% |
| 5 | Indiana | 840 | $50,910 | -29.7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Legal Support | 10,507 | $53,266 | 614 |
| 2 | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 6,764 | $44,889 | 339 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 2 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO | 88 | $6,100 | $41,592 |
| 3 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | 88 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| 4 | De Anza College Cupertino, CA | 85 | $6,642 | $56,596 |
| 5 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL | 84 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| 6 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL | 84 | $5,463 | $40,654 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners Pros & Cons
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 3 upsides and 3 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $72,420 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $100,780 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -0.3% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
- High earnings variance The gap between the 25th ($53,760) and 75th ($100,780) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, location, and specialization.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $53,760 is considerably below the $72,420 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners is $72,420, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,760 and $100,780. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -0.3% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $72,420 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How do I become a Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners?
Most Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Legal Support are common starting points.
Why are Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners jobs declining?
The BLS projects -0.3% employment change for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 1,700 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 13K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners roles: Active Listening, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and Time Management. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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