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Job outlook for digital court reporters in the United States
Are digital court reporter jobs in demand?
Digital court reporter job and salary trends over time
Digital court reporter jobs over time
Digital court reporter job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 734 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 758 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 740 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 594 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 624 | 0.00% |
Average digital court reporter salary over time
Digital court reporter salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $44,643 | $21.46 | +2.0% |
| 2025 | $43,766 | $21.04 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | $43,336 | $20.83 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $41,797 | $20.09 | +7.4% |
| 2022 | $38,915 | $18.71 | +3.7% |
Digital court reporter jobs by state
Most common states for digital court reporters
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 124 | 18% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 64 | 7% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 400 | 6% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 49 | 5% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 31 | 5% |
| 6 | New York | 19,849,399 | 734 | 4% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 495 | 4% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 246 | 4% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 198 | 4% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 149 | 4% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 126 | 4% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 72 | 4% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 48 | 4% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 44 | 4% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 31 | 4% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 26 | 4% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 23 | 4% |
| 18 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,200 | 3% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 274 | 3% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 113 | 3% |
Most common cities for digital court reporters
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | 1 | 1% | $40,529 |
| 2 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $37,955 |
| 3 | New Haven | 1 | 1% | $55,161 |
| 4 | Peoria | 1 | 1% | $51,380 |
| 5 | Topeka | 1 | 1% | $48,539 |
| 6 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $37,933 |
| 7 | Fresno | 1 | 0% | $59,389 |
| 8 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $56,819 |
Digital Court Reporter job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of digital court reporter experts
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Arkansas State University
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate HeadUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro
Department of English
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Digital Court Reporter job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.: Obviously work that can be done remotely is at a premium, and writers in particular will benefit from this. Freelance writers have long worked remotely and on their own schedule. The shift now will involve science writers, technical writers, corporate communications professionals-anyone who knows how to put sentences together with clarity, elegance, and professionalism. So the ability to write well-the way that English majors are trained to-is key to capitalizing on the trends.
What Digital Court Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Anthony Cuda Ph.D.: I think graduates should always find ways to offer their services to professional organizations-nonprofits, small businesses, even larger firms. If graduates can get a foot in the door with a professional organization-paid or unpaid-and work to hone their writing and communicating skills, they'll be well positioned to pursue a variety of alternative career paths.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Digital Court Reporter job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ronald Sitton Ph.D.: Although the pandemic definitely presents a challenge to incoming journalists, the bigger challenge may be the news deserts popping up throughout the country. Fewer outlets mean fewer traditional opportunities. Those entering the industry will not only be competing with other graduates, but also with veteran journalists now seeking employment. The pandemic adds another layer: many interviews will be conducted over the internet instead of in-person. Those who aren't professional in these interviews face additional hiring challenges, e.g., nobody's going to hire someone who interviews from their bed in pajamas.
Yet those who can be comfortable and professional in an internet interview will show potential employers that they can be expected to conduct themselves professionally in a setting that's becoming increasingly common. The pandemic continues to require journalists to innovate when obtaining information. For example, instead of being able to visit a source in their professional setting, now they will often see the source work from home. Noticing how the source chooses to present themselves in that setting will provide details for stories the general public might not otherwise see. Will their animals or children walk in and out during the interview? How does the source react to interruptions? As a result, journalists have an opportunity to make their sources more "human" for the audience.
Although much has gone online, it will still be necessary for broadcast journalists to gather B-roll and natural sound for their work. It will still be necessary for print and online journalists to include photography with their written work. Journalism isn't a job for people who want to stay home during the pandemic.
What skills stand out on Digital Court Reporter resumes?
Dr. Ronald Sitton Ph.D.: Writing will always be an important skill. Even if someone prefers to be a broadcast journalist or photojournalist, most news outlets keep an internet presence, which requires great writing such that the public can find out additional information unavailable through a photograph or in the time constraints of a broadcast medium. Whether graduates prefer to remain in the industry or seek employment elsewhere, every employer wants to hire someone who can willingly communicate their ideas precisely and concisely.
Reporting skills will also remain important as employers need employees who understand how to properly research and vet information prior to publication. They must know how and when to ask the difficult questions that provide insights into contentious issues. Prior to beginning work, reporters must pitch their ideas, which is a skill that also is useful outside of the industry.
With the continual movement of publications to online outlets, knowledge of content management systems (e.g., WordPress) becomes even more important than it previously was. Knowledge of standard industry software including Photoshop and InDesign is almost mandatory, while video editing skills will stand out even more due to the amount of video now gathered through internet interviews. Graduates entering the field with a multiplatform skill set will possess skills a lot of veteran journalists are still learning.
It's expected that journalists understand the necessity of using critical thinking, being dependable, making deadlines, and adapting to change. Showing how they've previously done this rather than just telling that they can will stand out to employers.