Do California Court Reporters Make Six-figure Salaries?

Salary surveys are useful tools

Salary surveys are useful tools. People considering a particular career can determine if it meets their financial needs. Professionals already in the field use the information to see where they are on the scale and if their salary is fair. Some sources claim that California court reporters have an income potential of over $100,000 per year. Is this true?

Median Salary Figures

A quick perusal of salary trends reveals court reporters in Los Angeles make a median salary closer to half that amount. Even the top 10% are lucky to approach the six figure mark much less pass it. So this means the six-figure claims must be wrong, right?

Not necessarily. Salary surveys are based on average amounts earned by people in traditional office settings. If you work a basic 8-to-5 job you get a basic 8-to-5 salary. You have the advantage of benefits, steady employment and a reliable paycheck every two weeks. In return, you are not necessarily making as much money as an independent contractor. However even reporters in traditional jobs can make more money by taking on additional work.

Work Harder and Make More Money

Independent court reporters don't have a guarantee of a 40-hour week but they aren't limited to a 40-hour week either. Many successful court reporters put long hours and do make salaries in the six-figure range. However such a strenuous pace is not for everyone.

In addition to traditional employment such as taking depositions or documenting courtroom testimony, many reporters take side work including scoping, close captioning or transcription work outside the legal field. These projects can be a lucrative addition to a steady career, whether you work in an office or are an independent contractor.

Reporters should remember to include the value of benefits when comparing their salaries to others. A rule of thumb is company benefits add 50% to a person's salary so a $50,000/year reporter with benefits is equivalent to a $75,000/year reporter working as a contractor without such advantages as vacation pay, company medical insurance and 401K matching contributions.

It's Up To You

The value of your compensation is more than simply the money you deposit in the bank every month. Many reporters like the security of traditional employment while others prefer the freedom of working independently. Your best career option will depend on your personality and your needs.

For example, many reporters who have spouses with good medical insurance and retirement are more secure going out on their own. Aggressive go-getters are good candidates for self-employment as well. They like earning high salaries even if that means they are covering a lot of their own costs.

So the answer to the question is yes. It is possible for California court reporters to make over $100,000 per year if they work hard, but that doesn't mean they realize a profit of $100,000 per year if they are working independently.

by: Christine Harrell

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