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Court Reporter Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Court Reporter information

See Minnesota salary details

$32.8K

$78.9K

$121.4K

How much do court reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for court reporter in Minnesota is $78,892.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,200.00 and $97,900.00 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.
More about Court Reporter jobs

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

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

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

What job categories do people searching Court Reporter jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Court Reporter jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Court Reporter jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Court Reporter job openings:

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

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Court Reporter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Court Reporter job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $78,892 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Court Reporter Elect, Stearns County - Judge Designee Luke Godzala

Minnesota Judicial Branch

Saint Cloud, MN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Judge Designee Luke Godzala is looking for qualified candidates to fill an Official Court Reporter position. The primary work location is Stearns County, St. Cloud, Minnesota. However, the ability to travel is a requirement for this position, as the court reporter will occasionally work in other counties within the Seventh Judicial District.

This position is responsible for the verbatim recording and transcription of testimony from judicial proceedings, hearings, and conferences, in compliance with all applicable statutes and court rules or as directed by the appointing authority. Additionally, the court reporter serves as the judicial officer's confidential assistant.

Example of Duties

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Capture a verbatim record of court proceedings.
  • Read or play back testimony upon request.
  • Prepare and distribute transcripts and court orders in accordance with Rules of Court, opinions, State Statutes, legal guidelines, and policies.
  • Maintain accurate and complete files and records.
  • Maintain awareness of Rules, Statutes, and policy changes, additions, and deletions.
  • Serve as Judge Designee Luke Godzala's confidential assistant.
  • Perform other court-related and confidential duties as directed by Judge Designee Luke Godzala.
  • Some travel is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Stenographic Court Reporter

A person seeking employment with the Branch for the position of official stenographic court reporter must meet the following minimum qualifications:

  1. Graduation from high school or equivalent; and
  2. Graduation from a court reporting school approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) within the past two years; or
  3. Compliance with one of the following:
    • Received a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) designation from the NCRA; or
    • Received an equivalent certification from another state or territory of the United States, or professional court reporter association; or
    • Have been practicing proficiently as a professional stenographic reporter for the past two (2) years and, within one (1) month of hire, accurately take a minimum of 20 minutes of court proceedings alongside a stenographic court reporter who has an RPR designation or certification as provided above, and then produce a transcript with 95% accuracy; or
    • Obtain RPR designation from the NCRA within two years of hire. Pending receipt of the RPR designation, must, within one (1) month of hire, accurately take a minimum of 20 minutes of court proceedings alongside a stenographic court reporter who has an RPR designation or applicable certification and then produce a transcript. The participating RPR-certified stenographer will determine that 95% accuracy is achieved to successfully complete this requirement.

Stenographic court reporters who do not meet the requirements noted above must become certified by the Minnesota Judicial Branch or the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) as an Electronic Court Reporter within three months of hire and take the record electronically until they are in compliance with the requirements outlined above.

Electronic Court Reporter

A person seeking employment with the Branch for the position of official electronic court reporter must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Any combination of training and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, abilities, and skills listed in the classification specification; and

Compliance with one of the following within three months of hire:

  • Receive an Electronic Court Reporter certificate from the State Court Administrator; or
  • Receive an Electronic Court Reporter Certification and an Electronic Transcriber Certification from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT); or
  • Receive an Electronic Court Reporter certification from an accredited court reporter school.

Additional Information

  • Court Reporters are at-will employees, and the work is performed under the supervision of a District Court Judge.
  • This position is contingent on passing a criminal background check. 
  • Current Judicial Branch employees must have satisfactory performance in all competencies in their most recent performance evaluation and no discipline above an oral reprimand in the preceding six months.
Why Work for Us?
Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and value diversity in professional background and cultural characteristics. We are intentional and mindful about the organizational culture we are building, seeking broad-minded individuals with robust capabilities who value supporting one another's growth.

Employee Benefits
The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family's wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees includes health and wellness benefits, enhanced fertility benefits, short- and long-term disability, pension, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more at Employee Benefits - Careers at the Minnesota Judicial Branch Careers. Minnesota Judicial Branch employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service. You can learn more about this program from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the office of Federal Student Aid.

Equal Employment Opportunity
It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at 7th8th.HumanResources@courts.state.mn.us. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Internal Applicants
If you are a current employee of the Minnesota Judicial Branch, please apply to open positions conveniently through your Oracle account by visiting Opportunity Marketplace - Browse Opportunities.

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