What are the pros and cons of being a court reporter?

The pros and cons of being a court reporter relate to good compensation, minimal educational requirements, and poor job outlooks. Here are the top pros and cons of being a court reporter:

Pros:

• Good compensation

Court reporters earn decent salaries. The average salary of a court reporter in the United States is $61,660 per year. Specific salaries also depend on certain factors, such as location, experience level, certifications, academic history, and other achievements that relate to this field. However, most court reporters tend to earn a decent living.

• Minimal education requirements

One of the biggest advantages of becoming a court reporter is that it does not require long and expensive academic degrees. Community colleges and technical schools have postsecondary certifications for this field, as well as opportunities to earn associate degrees. This process only takes two years versus four years for a bachelor's degree.

• Freelance opportunities and flexible work schedules

Many court reporters work on a freelance basis. These court reporters can determine their own schedules to varying degrees. Court reporting positions are needed throughout the United States.

This makes it possible for you to have more than one employer that you work for as an independent contractor. Freelance court reporters sometimes earn more than their counterparts that work full-time for one employer as well.

• The development of strong and transferable skills

When you pursue a career as a court reporter you develop key skills that can be utilized in the field, and also in other industries, if you choose to shift careers. Here are some of the key skills you develop as a court reporter:

• Multitasking

• Listening

• Attention to detail

• Time management

• Typing

These are very valuable skills in several different industries.

Cons:

• Poor job outlook

This is lower than the average compound growth rate of all other occupations combined and equates to around only 2,100 new jobs in the field per year.

• Stress

Being a court reporter can be stressful. These professionals often have strict deadlines they must adhere to on a daily basis. The multitasking that is necessary for long periods of time can cause burnout in this field. Court proceedings are also highly serious processes, this can make the day-to-day work monotonous and unfun.

• You spend a great deal of time sitting

A major drawback of the job is that you must spend long hours seated and typing. This can be bad for your overall physical condition since court reporters don't move around much for work. Those who enter this field should seek to establish healthy eating and exercise routines to combat any potential health issues.