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Entry Level Court Reporter Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Schedule meetings, depositions and court reporters. Perform all planning (shared responsibility with Legal Practice Assistant) including; scheduling, reserving conference rooms, arranging video and ...

Entry Level Court Reporter information

See California salary details

$33.1K

$79.5K

$122.4K

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

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level 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 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.

How difficult is it to be a court reporter?

Becoming an entry-level court reporter requires completing a specialized training program and obtaining certification, which can take several months to a year. The job demands strong listening, fast typing skills, and the ability to work accurately under pressure, making it a challenging but achievable profession for those with dedication and focus.

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.

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.

Can I be a court reporter with no experience?

Entry-level court reporter positions typically require completion of a court reporting program and passing certification exams, but prior work experience is not always necessary. Training programs teach skills such as shorthand, stenography, and transcription, which are essential for the role. Certification and strong listening skills are important for success in this field.

Will court reporters be phased out?

Court reporters are essential for providing accurate transcripts in legal proceedings, and while technology like speech recognition software is advancing, human court reporters are still widely used due to their accuracy and ability to handle complex language. The profession is evolving with the adoption of digital tools, but demand remains steady for qualified professionals with stenography skills and certifications.

How much do stenographers make?

Entry-level court reporters, including stenographers, in Oklahoma typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, certification, and workload. Experienced stenographers with certification can earn higher salaries, especially in legal or official settings where accuracy and speed are critical.
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 are popular job titles related to Entry Level Court Reporter jobs in California? For Entry Level Court Reporter jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Court Reporter jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Court Reporter jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Court Reporter jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Court Reporter job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Court Reporter job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,496 per year, or $38.2 per hour.
Administrative Assistant (Del Mar)

Administrative Assistant (Del Mar)

Best Best & Krieger LLP

San Diego, CA

$24.62 - $29.75/hr

Other

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Best Best & Krieger LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on delivering effective and client-service oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals across the U.S. BBK is proud to trace the firm's success back to the groundwork of professionalism and community service laid by its founders 135 years ago. Today, with nearly 250 attorneys in offices throughout California and in Oregon and Washington, D.C., we efficiently and meaningfully assist our clients with complex, multi-disciplinary issues and provide creative solutions.

At BBK, we place a high degree of value in creating and nurturing a work environment that attracts the best talent and reflects our commitment to culture, community and equal opportunity. We are proud of our workplace culture, where we respect and value our colleagues for their unique perspectives and experiences.

Best Best & Krieger is seeking an Administrative Assistant in the Del Mar office who will coordinate and maintain effective office procedures and efficient work flow.  Follow policies and procedures set by the Firm. Maintain positive contact with staff and observes confidentiality of client matters. Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with supervisors and co-workers by performing multiple tasks. There is an onsite requirement of a minimum of 3 days per week. 

REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

  1. Edit and proofread routine law office correspondence and legal case matters.
  2. Organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
  3. Professional and positive interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate and follow instructions effectively from a diverse group of clients, attorneys and staff and provide information with ordinary courtesy and tact.
  4. Problem solve, use sound judgment and works well under pressure. Must be decisive.
  5. Work within deadlines and effectively handle stress.
  6. Establish effective working relationships and appropriately interact with others.
  7. Other responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRD KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  1. Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
  2. Exercise appropriate judgment regarding sensitive confidential matters.
  3. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  4. Working knowledge of iManage and Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and etc.).
  5. Work independently and thrive as part of a team.
  6. Complete check request forms.
  7. CLE tracking, renewing subscriptions/memberships, enrollment in conferences, etc.
  8. Make travel arrangements for attorneys; complete and submit expense reports.
  9. Schedule meetings, depositions and court reporters.  Perform all planning (shared responsibility with Legal Practice Assistant) including; scheduling, reserving conference rooms, arranging video and teleconferencing support, ordering food and beverages, and provides reference materials to the attendees.
  10. Submits marketing expense requests/sponsorship forms.
  11. Enters new contacts into CRM system and adds contacts to relevant mailing lists.
  12. Receives, screens and transmits telephone calls to attorneys and takes messages as necessary, with recognition of and attention to the particular needs of clients. Schedules conference calls for attorneys (shared responsibility with Legal Practice Assistant).
  13. Enters IntApp Time Entry reporting.
  14. Drafts engagement letters.
  15. Notary or willingness to become a notary.

SUCCESS FACTORS / JOB COMPETENCIES:

  1. Decision / Problem Solving Skills.
  2. Team Player.
  3. Initiative.
  4. Organizational Skills.
  5. Communication / Interpersonal Skills.
  6. Innovation / Logical Reasoning Skills.
  7. Client Services Skills.
  8. Reliability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred.
  2. At least 2 years of relevant experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  1. This job operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, filing cabinets and fax machines
  2. Normal law office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like.

The reasonably expected pay scale for this position with 2 or more years of experience is $48,000 - $58,000 annually, non-exempt.  The actual salary within that range will depend on the selected candidate’s location and experience.  We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Best Best & Krieger is an equal opportunity employer.