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Entry Level Court Reporter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Official Court Reporter

Saint Louis, MO · On-site +1

$97.88K - $112.56K/yr

Salary range represents a 5% increase over the Entry Level 1. ($102,770) * To qualify for Level 3, incumbent must have a Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) certification from the National Court ...

IL · On-site

As the second level of the Official Court Reporter title series, this level is distinguished from the entry level position by the minimum requirement of an unrestricted State of Illinois Certified ...

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... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

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... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

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... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

Be Seen First

... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

Be Seen First

... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

Be Seen First

... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

Veteran-friendly

Urgent

Be Seen First

... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

Veteran-friendly

Urgent

Be Seen First

... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

Veteran-friendly

Urgent

Be Seen First

... ENTRY-LEVEL - No Experience Required. We provide you with all the support you need to be ... Deposition Officers (DO)'s are not shorthand reporters or stenographers, and no stenographic tools ...

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Entry Level Court Reporter information

See salary details

$33.5K

$80.5K

$124K

How much do entry level court reporter jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level court reporter in the United States is $80,550.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $100,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Court Reporter, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Court Reporter, you need excellent listening skills, fast and accurate typing or stenography abilities, and typically a postsecondary certificate in court reporting. Familiarity with stenotype machines, digital audio recording equipment, and transcription software is often required, along with state licensure or certification in some regions. Attention to detail, strong concentration, and professionalism are essential soft skills for capturing precise records and interacting with legal professionals. These competencies ensure the creation of reliable legal transcripts, which are critical for judicial processes and legal documentation.

What types of cases or legal proceedings do entry level court reporters typically work on, and how varied is the work environment?

Entry level court reporters commonly work on a range of legal proceedings, including depositions, hearings, trials, and occasionally administrative meetings. The work environment can vary from traditional courtrooms to law offices or even remote settings, depending on the assignment. While early in your career you may handle more routine or less complex cases, as you gain experience and proficiency, you’ll likely have the opportunity to work on higher-profile or specialized cases. This variety helps develop a broad skill set and can lead to advancement within legal or freelance reporting sectors.

What are entry level court reporters?

Entry level court reporters are professionals who transcribe spoken or recorded speech during legal proceedings, such as trials, depositions, and hearings, typically at the beginning of their careers. They use specialized equipment like stenotype machines or voice writing technology to create accurate, verbatim records of everything said in the courtroom. Entry level reporters may also be responsible for preparing official transcripts and ensuring the integrity of the legal record. This role requires strong attention to detail, fast and accurate typing skills, and a good understanding of legal terminology. Most entry level court reporters have completed a court reporting program and may need to obtain certification, depending on their location.

What is the difference between Entry Level Court Reporter vs Stenographer?

AspectEntry Level Court ReporterStenographer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, certification in court reporting or stenographyHigh school diploma, stenography certification or training
Work EnvironmentCourtrooms, legal settings, depositionsCourts, legal offices, transcription services
Employer & Industry UsageLegal institutions, court systemsLegal, governmental, and transcription industries
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Court Reporters and Stenographers often share similar credentials and work environments, primarily in legal settings. While both roles involve transcription and require stenography skills, court reporters typically focus on providing official transcripts for court proceedings, whereas stenographers may work in various transcription roles. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path in the legal transcription industry.

More about Entry Level Court Reporter jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Court Reporter jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Court Reporter job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Court Reporter jobs? The most popular types of Court Reporter jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Court Reporter jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Court Reporter jobs include:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Court Reporter job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,550 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Official Court Reporter

U.S. Courts

Saint Louis, MO • On-site, Remote

$97.88K - $112.56K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Summary
The position is a full-time appointment with the Eastern District of Missouri. Official Court Reporters are responsible for the verbatim reporting of both civil and criminal proceedings held before the United States District Judges, and as directed for proceedings before Magistrate Judges, and for the transcription of those proceedings upon request.
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Duties
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The Offical Court Reporter ensures all proceedings shall be reported using electronic machine shorthand equipment that produces an electronic storage media capable of translation and printing by computer-assisted transcription equipment. All court reporters shall be required to record via electronic sound recording equipment (magnetic/digital) all proceedings in this District and shall maintain the electronic media in their custody until separation from duty.
Official Court Reporters provide transcripts within the time and cost limitations set by the Judicial Conference, electronically file with the Clerk of Court a copy of all prepared transcripts concurrently with delivery to the requesting parties. Fees for transcripts sold to private parties are established by the Judicial Conference and are retained by the Official Court Reporter.
Although this position is based in St. Louis, all Court Reporters are expected to serve all judges of the court and travel to Cape Girardeau and Hannibal Divisional courthouses on occasion is required. Court Reporters serve under the appointing authority of the Clerk of Court, are guided by and responsible for following policies and administrative procedures contained in the Court Reporter Management Plan for the Eastern District of Missouri, and the personnel policies applicable to the employees of the Clerk of Court. Court Reporters are expected to do all other duties as assigned.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Appointment is contingent upon providing proof of United States citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Citizenship-Requirements
  • The selectee considered for this position is required to undergo an FBI Background Check and/or Investigation as a condition of employment. The selectee may then be appointed provisionally, and retention will depend upon favorable suitability determination of the background investigation.
  • All applicant information is subject to verification. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process, as well as disciplinary action if discovered after hire.
  • Employees of the federal judiciary must adhere to all Judicial Conference regulations, follow the policies in the Guide to Judiciary Policy, and are bound by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Link: The Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees Link: Your Employee Rights and How to Report
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.

Qualifications
Must have at least one year of prime court reporting experience in the freelance field of service, in other courts, or a combination thereof. Starting at Level 1 to Level 4 based on education and experience. In addition:
  • To qualify for Level 1, incumbent must have a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association. ($97,876)
  • To qualify for Level 2, incumbent must have a Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association. Salary range represents a 5% increase over the Entry Level 1. ($102,770)
  • To qualify for Level 3, incumbent must have a Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association or equivalent certification. Salary range represents a 10% increase over the entry Level 1. ($107,663)
  • To qualify for Level 4: Incumbent must have a Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification AND Certified Realtime Reporter (FCRR or CRR) certification. Salary range represents a 15% increase over the entry Level 1. ($112,557)

Applicants must be capable of providing realtime reporting and will be expected to provide transcripts and/or realtime feed for judges upon request, without charge. Realtime certification is preferred, but candidates who are capable of providing realtime and are actively working toward certification will also be considered.
Education
At a minimum, candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and have a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification from the National Court Reporters Association.
Additional information
  • There may be an opportunity for a recruitment bonus to a newly appointed employee or a relocation bonus to a current federal employee (in any branch of government) who must relocate to a different geographic area to accept a position without a break in service.
  • Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Applicants may be asked to participate in proficiency tests.
  • Positions with the U.S. Courts are "excepted service" positions and employees serve "at will."
  • The U. S. Clerk's Office reserves the right to amend or withdraw any announcement without written notice to applicants. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the appointing authority may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without re-posting the position.
  • The organization reserves the right to assign and/or reassign an employee to any location within the district based on the needs of the organization.
  • The complete announcement is found here.

Eastern District of Missouri Clerk's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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  • Paid Annual Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays (11)
  • Flexible Work Schedule
  • Pre-tax Benefit Programs
  • Health Insurance
  • Vision/Dental Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Defined contribution retirement benefits (FERS)
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)- 401 (k)-styled program with up to 5% match
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Parking/Commuter Benefit Program
  • Virtual Judiciary Online University

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