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Court Reporter Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Legal Practice Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$63K - $113K/yr

Coordinate court and agency filings, ensuring compliance with all procedural and filing requirements. * Handle client communications, calls, correspondence, and mail with professionalism, discretion ...

Court Reporter information

See Madison, WI salary details

$33.8K

$81.2K

$124.9K

How much do court reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for court reporter in Madison, WI is $81,165.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,000.00 and $100,800.00 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 Madison, WI?

The most popular types of Court Reporter jobs in Madison, WI are:

What are popular job titles related to Court Reporter jobs in Madison, WI?

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

What job categories do people searching Court Reporter jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Court Reporter jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Court Reporter jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Court Reporter job openings:

Infographic showing various Court Reporter job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,165 per year, or $39 per hour.

District Court Reporter - District 5

State of Wisconsin

Madison, WI • On-site, Remote

$53K - $73K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


State Of Wisconsin rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 50 rated states


Job description

Introduction
Applications are now being accepted for a full-time District Court Reporter position. The selected candidate will provide floating court reporter coverage for the Fifth Judicial District, which includes Dane, Rock, Sauk, Columbia, Green, and Lafayette Counties. This position is available starting September 2026.
Position Summary
LOCATION: Madison, WI
SALARY: Competitive annual salary in the range of $53,185 to $73,715 along with possible transcript fee income and a State of Wisconsin benefits package. Salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.
Job Details
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Reports verbatim proceedings of the Court-whether trials, hearings, proceedings, or conferences-by shorthand, stenotype, or other methods. 2) Reports verbatim and transcribes grand jury proceedings, termination of parental rights trials, and other hearings as assigned. 3) Transcribes proceedings into accurate transcripts for purposes of appeal or by order of the court. 4) Identifies participants by name to facilitate reporting and reads aloud statements of participants as requested during proceedings. 5) Prepares and distributes transcripts and related documents. 6) Reviews transcripts for technical accuracy. 7) Reviews documents for compliance to standards set by Wisconsin Court rules. 8) Performs transcribing of court and administrative proceedings on appeal. 9) Provides court reporter coverage for other judges as assigned by the District Court Administrator's Office.
Qualifications
General Requirements: 1) Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. 2) Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation and spelling. 3) Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures, citation formats, and requirements of the Wisconsin Court rules. 4) Skill in organization to permit the production of transcripts within strict time limitations. 5) Skill in working well under pressure. 6) Skill in operating videoconferencing technology to support remote court proceedings. 7) Ability to operate a personal computer with standard applications in a Windows environment. 8) Ability to conduct oneself in a professional manner and promote harmonious working relationships with others including the general public. 9) Ability to understand and follow verbal and written directions. 10) Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 11) Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional appearance, and demeanor at all times. 12) Ability to be tactful and courteous when dealing with the public, some of whom may be irate or under stress.
Stenographer/Voice Writer Court Reporter Requirements: Candidates must meet one of three minimum professional standards to be considered eligible for hire: 1) Graduation from a court reporting school approved by either the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA), or 2) Successful completion of the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) examination administered by the NCRA, or 3) Successful completion of the Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) examination administered by the NVRA.
Digital Court Reporter Preferred Requirements: 1) Certified Electronic Reporter and Transcriber certification from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (or equivalent); 2) Work experience as a digital court reporter.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Employment will require a criminal background check. The Wisconsin Court System does not sponsor work visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility form upon hire.
How To Apply
Please submit a cover letter indicating your preference to be considered for a Stenographer, Voice Writer or Digital Court Reporter, your current resume, and list of references to:
Faun Moses
District Court Administrator
5th Judicial District
215 S Hamilton St Rm 6111
Madison, WI 53703-3290
Email: Faun.Moses@wicourts.gov
Contact Faun Moses, 5th Judicial District Administrator at (608) 267-8821 with questions.
Deadline to Apply
Applications will be accepted until position is filled. The Wisconsin Court System will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants who request them. For additional information on the courts system visit our website at www.wicourts.gov.
Notice: Upon request, all prospective employees can obtain a copy of the Equal Employment Opportunity Utilization Report.

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