Freelance court reporter vs certified shorthand reporter

The differences between freelance court reporters and certified shorthand reporters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified shorthand reporter has an average salary of $64,522, which is higher than the $63,304 average annual salary of a freelance court reporter.

The top three skills for a freelance court reporter include transcription, proofread and legal proceedings. The most important skills for a certified shorthand reporter are medical terminology, district court, and proofread.

Freelance court reporter vs certified shorthand reporter overview

	Freelance Court Reporter	Certified Shorthand Reporter
Yearly salary	$63,304	$64,522
Hourly rate	$30.43	$31.02
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	2,781	35,859
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 60%	Associate Degree, 36%
Average age	52	52
Years of experience	-	-

Freelance court reporter vs certified shorthand reporter salary

Freelance court reporters and certified shorthand reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Freelance Court Reporter	Certified Shorthand Reporter
Average salary	$63,304	$64,522
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $111,000	Between $45,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between freelance court reporter and certified shorthand reporter education

There are a few differences between a freelance court reporter and a certified shorthand reporter in terms of educational background:

	Freelance Court Reporter	Certified Shorthand Reporter
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 60%	Associate Degree, 36%
Most common major	Legal Support Services	Legal Support Services
Most common college	Bentley University	Stanford University

Freelance court reporter vs certified shorthand reporter demographics

Here are the differences between freelance court reporters' and certified shorthand reporters' demographics:

	Freelance Court Reporter	Certified Shorthand Reporter
Average age	52	52
Gender ratio	Male, 10.1% Female, 89.9%	Male, 13.7% Female, 86.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.6% Asian, 1.4% White, 85.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.6% Asian, 1.4% White, 85.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between freelance court reporter and certified shorthand reporter duties and responsibilities

Freelance court reporter example responsibilities.

Edit and correct transcripts using computer-aid transcription software.
Provide deposition recording and medical/legal transcription services to various medical malpractice attorneys in the Boston area.
Transcribe sworn testimony in deposition, courtroom, arbitration and grievance proceedings.
Record depositions covering employment, medical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and business litigation matters.
Write depositions, including medical, as well as hearings, and arbitrations on stenographic machine.
Attend seminars to ensure proper CE credits are obtain for state and national certifications.

Certified shorthand reporter example responsibilities.

Manage client expenses and prepare billing and financial statements using PClaw and reconcile attorney's escrow and general accounts using QuickBooks.
Proofread and prepare transcripts in compliance with California law.
Transcribe depositions into readable form, proofread and forward to attorney for his own review/use.
Prepare deposition transcripts using computer-assist transcription systems.
Obtain and review medical records, draft notices to consumer and deposition subpoenas, and transcribe communications.
Attend seminars to ensure proper CE credits are obtain for state and national certifications.

Freelance court reporter vs certified shorthand reporter skills

Common freelance court reporter skills

Transcription, 20%
Proofread, 11%
Legal Proceedings, 8%
Court Trials, 7%
Court Proceedings, 7%
Court Reporters, 5%

Common certified shorthand reporter skills

Medical Terminology, 49%
District Court, 49%
Proofread, 1%
Transcription, 1%
Legal Depositions, 0%
Legal Proceedings, 0%

Freelance Court Reporter vs. similar jobs

Freelance Court Reporter related careers

Freelance Court Reporter related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Legal Industry
Freelance Court Reporter
Freelance Court Reporter vs Certified Shorthand Reporter

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse legal jobs