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Court Reporter Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Court Reporter

Truckee, CA · On-site

$59K - $72K/yr

Certification by the State of California as a Certified Shorthand Reporter or Certified Court Reporter; and   * Two years general reporting experience or one year in a trial court in the State of ...

Court Reporter

Fairfield, CA · On-site

$111K - $135K/yr

Court Reporters Opening Date: 12/14/2023 Closing Date: Continuous FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: SEIU 1021 Job Definition Under direction, prepare and transcribe official verbatim recordings of ...

Showing results 21-40

Court Reporter information

See California salary details

$33.1K

$79.5K

$122.4K

How much do court reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for court reporter in California is $79,496.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,700.00 and $98,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a court reporter?

As a court reporter, you transcribe court testimonies, witness depositions, legislative sessions, and other live legal proceedings using a stenotype machine. Your responsibilities are to perform accurate reporting of everything people say during proceedings and to read back specific parts of the transcript upon request. You need excellent listening and stenography skills to be a court reporter, with an average typing speed of 225 words per minute (WPM). You can find court reporting jobs with government courts at all levels and agencies. You can use your typing skills in similar professions, like television captioning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a court reporter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Court Reporter, you need excellent listening skills, fast and accurate typing abilities, and specialized training or certification in stenography or voice writing. Proficiency with stenotype machines, digital recording systems, and real-time transcription software is typically required. Attention to detail, discretion, and strong concentration are vital soft skills for capturing legal proceedings accurately and confidentially. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing precise legal records that support fair judicial processes and legal documentation.

What are some common challenges faced by court reporters, and how can they be managed?

Court reporters often face challenges such as maintaining focus during long proceedings, accurately capturing fast or overlapping speech, and managing tight deadlines for transcript delivery. To overcome these, many reporters use specialized shorthand or stenography equipment, regularly practice their skills, and develop strong time-management habits. Working closely with attorneys, judges, and other court staff also helps clarify unclear testimony and ensure accuracy. Ongoing professional development and joining industry associations can provide valuable support and resources.

What is the difference between Court Reporter vs Transcriptionist?

AspectCourt ReporterTranscriptionist
CredentialsCertification (e.g., CSR), specialized trainingNo formal certification required, but certifications exist
Work EnvironmentCourts, legal proceedings, depositionsOffices, remote work, medical or legal transcription
Industry UsageLegal, court systemsLegal, medical, business

While both Court Reporters and Transcriptionists convert spoken words into written form, Court Reporters typically work in legal settings with specialized certifications and real-time reporting, whereas Transcriptionists often work in various industries without formal certification, focusing on audio-to-text transcription outside the courtroom.

Can I be a court reporter with no experience?

Becoming a court reporter typically requires completing a specialized training program and obtaining certification, but prior experience is not always necessary. Many training programs provide the skills needed to start, and on-the-job training is common for new court reporters. Strong listening, typing, and attention to detail are important skills for success in this role.

How much do court reporters make?

Court reporters typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $40,000 to over $100,000 depending on experience, location, and certification. Experienced court reporters who work in high-demand areas or specialize in certain types of reporting can earn higher wages, and many work full-time with opportunities for overtime or freelance assignments.

Is becoming a court reporter hard?

Becoming a court reporter requires learning specialized skills such as shorthand or stenography, and passing certification exams. The training can be intensive, and accuracy and speed are essential for success in the role.

What are the requirements for being a court reporter?

To become a court reporter, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and must complete a specialized training program or obtain an associate's degree in court reporting or stenography. Certification or licensing is often required, which involves passing a skills exam that tests shorthand speed and accuracy, and proficiency with transcription tools. Strong listening, typing, and attention to detail are essential skills for the role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Court Reporter jobs in California?

The most popular types of Court Reporter jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Court Reporter jobs?

Cities in California with the most Court Reporter job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Court Reporter jobs in CA?

For Court Reporter jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Court Reporter job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,496 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

$80K - $98K/yr

Full-time, Part-time, Contractor

Re-posted 27 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Attend court sessions and provide computer aided reporting and transcription of proceedings using specialized equipment.

  • Read back testimony to courts and juries.

  • Prepare transcripts within prescribed deadlines.


Job description

Position Description The Superior Court of California, County of Butte is now accepting applications for: Court Reporter APPLY NOW FOR A CHANCE TO RECEIVE UP TO A $5,000 HIRING INCENTIVE AND UP TO $25,000 OF STUDENT LOAN REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE NEW HIRES. **Open Until Filled** About the Community: Butte County Superior Court is located in beautiful Northern California, where the valley floor meets the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains, approximately 1.5 hours north of Sacramento. At over 1,600 square miles and with a population of approximately 225,000, Butte County is full of natural beauty and provides endless recreational opportunities

It is home to one of the largest municipal parks in the country, Bidwell Park, which boasts over 3,600 acres of hiking and mountain bike trails, swimming holes, picnic areas, golf and disc golf courses, and more. Outdoor adventures also await in places like Lake Oroville, Feather Falls, Table Mountain, and Lassen and Plumas National Forests which border the county to the east. In the county's urban center of Chico, you'll find a vibrant downtown, art, culture, unique restaurants, music, and weekly farmers' markets.

Right in the center of it all is the CSU, Chico campus, which provides a stunning backdrop and a variety of events and activities throughout the year. About the Court: Butte County Superior Court is a unified superior court operating two facilities, one courthouse in Chico, and another courthouse in the county seat of Oroville. All legal, operational, and administrative functions of the court are governed by the Presiding Judge and the Court Executive Officer.

The court has thirteen judicial officers, or eleven judges and two commissioners, and approximately 135 support staff. Despite its size, Butte is recognized throughout the state as a leader in many court collaborations, including self-help services, case management system consortiums, our highly acclaimed and model civic outreach program, and numerous multi-court employee education events. Butte County is home to a community with diverse needs, and the court continually adapts to provide effective and reliable access to justice.

About the Position: Court Reporters stenotype or voice write a verbatim record of courtroom proceedings and provide general support to the assigned judge related to the official record. The ideal candidate for the Court Reporter position has experience transcribing proceedings, is familiar with real time reporting, and possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills. SALARY Full-Time: $80,974.40 to $98,425.60 per year Part-Time: $38.93 to $47.32 per hour Daily (Pro Tem)*: $500 per day *Daily (Pro Tem) Court Reporters are considered extra-help employees and paid as an employee of the Court rather than as an independent contractor

Essential Job Functions The following duties are typical of those performed by the incumbent in this classification; however, other duties may also be required. Attends Superior Court sessions and provides computer aided reporting and transcription of proceedings through the use of specialized equipment including stenography machines or voice writing systems. Reads back testimony to courts and juries.

Prepares transcripts within prescribed deadlines. KNOWLEDGE OF: Computer aided transcription systems Legal procedures and specific rules and precedents Legal terminology, phraseology, documents, forms, and procedures Medical terminology Business English including vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation Common office machines and their operation ABILITY TO: Operate a computer aided transcription system Perform difficult, responsible, and complex legal court reporting duties with speed and accuracy and within deadlines Identify, use, and correct a wide variety of legal forms, documents, and terminology Make verbatim records of court proceedings Interpret and apply laws, rules, and written and oral directions to specific situations requiring the use of good judgment and minimal supervision Use good judgment in recognizing the scope and limit of authority delegated Follow oral and written directions Work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work Typical Qualifications Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: Must possess a computer aided transcription system Must possess a California License to practice as a certified shorthand reporter issued by the Certified Shorthand Reporters Board.

May be required to possess or obtain by appointment date a valid California operator's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. Supplemental Information Additional Information Criminal History Requirement: Candidates are required to pass a criminal history background check. License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required or the ability to provide alternate transportation that meets job requirements.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be available to a qualified individual with a disability that will enable him/her to perform the essential functions of the Court Reporter classification. Ability to sit for extended periods of time; dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; frequent lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of objects weighing up to 50 pounds; strength, dexterity and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a daily basis; vision which can be corrected to a level sufficient to read handwritten, typed and computer generated information and data; hearing and speech ability sufficient to enable communication by telephone and in-person; ability to frequently reach for and/or twist for items above and below desk level, sometimes with the assistance of a ladder or stepstool; frequently moves from place to place within the office; frequently walks short distances; and vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus to enable incumbent to decipher color coded files, forms, complete data entry and read operating instructions and procedures.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the Court Reporter, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment an employee will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed in an office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures, dirt, or dust.

The incumbent's working conditions are typically quiet, but may be loud at times at some locations. The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

Travel to visit other branches within the county and travel to attend professional meetings and trainings in and outside of the county may be required on a frequent basis. Normal court business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

This position may require occasional long hours or weekend work, however. Alternate work shifts may occur. Disclaimer: This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an incumbent assigned to this job classification.

It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of incumbents so classified. Application Process Please submit a complete online application, including responses to the required supplemental questions, at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/buttecourt. Applications will not be accepted by other means

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and qualified applicants will be invited to interview.