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Official court reporter vs reporter

The differences between official court reporters and reporters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an official court reporter has an average salary of $68,354, which is higher than the $46,667 average annual salary of a reporter.

The top three skills for an official court reporter include district court, court reporters and transcription. The most important skills for a reporter are news stories, digital marketing, and facebook.

Official court reporter vs reporter overview

Official Court ReporterReporter
Yearly salary$68,354$46,667
Hourly rate$32.86$22.44
Growth rate7%-10%
Number of jobs2,43911,179
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age5240
Years of experience-2

What does an official court reporter do?

A Court Reporter is engaged to provide official transcripts of meetings such as hearings, trials, legal proceedings, and any other legislative nature. The transcripts are, in most cases, used for reference. Among your key responsibilities will be to ensure the transcripts kept of proceedings are very detailed to ensure the rights of present parties are well protected in the course of the meeting and support and protect legal processes.

What does a reporter do?

In journalism, a reporter is responsible for relaying truthful and reliable information to the public audience through various mediums such as print and media. A reporter must ensure to gather necessary and factual data that are supported by interviews and comments of those involved, remain unbiased in all aspects, produce a concise and comprehensive informational material within an allotted time, and efficiently coordinate with every staff. Furthermore, a reporter must remain professional at all times and adhere to the policies and regulations set by the company or network.

Official court reporter vs reporter salary

Official court reporters and reporters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Official Court ReporterReporter
Average salary$68,354$46,667
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $114,000Between $29,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew Jersey
Best paying companyNew Jersey CourtsCiti
Best paying industryGovernmentMedia

Differences between official court reporter and reporter education

There are a few differences between an official court reporter and a reporter in terms of educational background:

Official Court ReporterReporter
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorLegal Support ServicesJournalism
Most common collegeBentley UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Official court reporter vs reporter demographics

Here are the differences between official court reporters' and reporters' demographics:

Official Court ReporterReporter
Average age5240
Gender ratioMale, 17.5% Female, 82.5%Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage5%10%

Differences between official court reporter and reporter duties and responsibilities

Official court reporter example responsibilities.

  • Respond to inquiries by phone or person from attorneys/parties to litigation.
  • Obtain proficiency in computer software relating to transcription and word processing.
  • Create verbatim, stenographic record, and produce timely computer-aid transcription of various criminal/civil court proceedings
  • Record depositions covering employment, medical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and business litigation matters.
  • Provide verbatim transcripts of depositions, examinations under oath, and administrative hearings.

Reporter example responsibilities.

  • Report to managing editor as member of editorial staff, contribute to newspaper editorials.
  • Edit and revise press releases and submissions; proofread large amount of copy.
  • Use social media (i.e Twitter, Facebook) to relay 'trouble-spots' to local drivers.
  • Cover NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR and general sports news events for as Dallas-based free-lance reporter.
  • Report and write for metro, arts, lifestyle, real estate, and regional sections of major daily newspaper.
  • Cover local government, environmental issues and write features in addition to photography and pagination for twice-weekly newspaper.
  • Show more

Official court reporter vs reporter skills

Common official court reporter skills
  • District Court, 32%
  • Court Reporters, 12%
  • Transcription, 12%
  • Court Orders, 9%
  • Legal Terminology, 6%
  • Court Sessions, 4%
Common reporter skills
  • News Stories, 12%
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Facebook, 6%
  • Twitter, 6%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Feature Stories, 4%