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Federal Court Reporter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Court Reporter

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

$100K - $116K/yr

Official court reporters are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Court and must comply ... The Federal Financial Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages for Court employees.

Experienced Court Reporters are encouraged to apply. The Court Executive Officer may authorize ... Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, statues, and rules relating to court ...

Official Court Reporter

Saint Louis, MO · On-site +1

$97K - $112K/yr

Official Court Reporters are responsible for the verbatim reporting of both civil and criminal ... Employees of the federal judiciary must adhere to all Judicial Conference regulations, follow the ...

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Federal Court Reporter information

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$33.5K

$80.5K

$124K

How much do federal court reporter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal 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 is the difference between Federal Court Reporter vs State Court Reporter?

AspectFederal Court ReporterState Court Reporter
CredentialsCertified shorthand reporter (CSR), federal certificationState-specific certification or licensing
Work EnvironmentFederal courthouses, federal legal proceedingsState courthouses, state legal proceedings
Employer & IndustryFederal judiciary, government agenciesState courts, local government
Work ScopeTranscribing federal cases, hearings, and trialsTranscribing state cases, hearings, and trials

Federal Court Reporters and State Court Reporters both transcribe legal proceedings, but Federal Court Reporters work primarily in federal courts with federal certification, while State Court Reporters work in state courts with state-specific credentials. The work environments and employer types differ, but both roles require similar skills in stenography and transcription.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Federal Court Reporter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Court Reporter, you need expert stenographic or voice-writing skills, strong command of legal terminology, and typically a certification such as Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) or higher. Familiarity with court reporting software, real-time transcription systems, and digital audio equipment is standard. Attention to detail, discretion, and the ability to remain composed under pressure are essential soft skills. These competencies ensure the accurate, impartial, and timely production of legal transcripts critical to the judicial process.

What are some common challenges faced by Federal Court Reporters, and how can they be addressed?

Federal Court Reporters often encounter challenges such as maintaining accuracy during fast-paced or technical proceedings and handling multiple speakers or overlapping dialogue. To address these, reporters develop strong shorthand or stenography skills and utilize advanced recording technology. They also prepare by familiarizing themselves with case-specific terminology beforehand and collaborating closely with attorneys, judges, and clerks to clarify unclear statements. Regular practice and professional development help them stay updated with evolving court procedures and technology.

What are federal court reporters?

Federal court reporters are professionals responsible for creating accurate, verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings held in United States federal courts. They use specialized stenography equipment to record everything said during trials, hearings, and other court sessions. Their work ensures that a reliable written record exists for appeals, legal reference, and public record. Federal court reporters must have a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, and knowledge of legal terminology.
More about Federal Court Reporter jobs
What cities are hiring for Federal Court Reporter jobs? Cities with the most Federal Court Reporter job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Court Reporter jobs? The most popular types of Federal Court Reporter jobs are:
What states have the most Federal Court Reporter jobs? States with the most job openings for Federal Court Reporter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Federal Court Reporter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Federal Court Reporter jobs are:
Infographic showing various Federal Court Reporter job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% As Needed, 25% Part Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,550 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

$95K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Position Overview Position Title: Official Court Reporter Job Number: USDC 25-23 Closing Date: Open Until Filled Salary Range: $96,857 -$116,229* (Salary commensurate with qualifications and duty station) *Court Reporter (CR) Levels1-5 in accordance with the 2025 Court Reporters' Rates of Pay. Location: San Antonio, Texas The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Official Court Reporter in the San Antonio divisional office. An official court reporter is responsible for the verbatim reporting of proceedings held before United States District Judges and Magistrate Judges and for the transcription of those proceedings upon request.

Occasional travel will be required as the Court is designated to preside in other locations throughout the Western District of Texas. Responsibilities Attend and record verbatim court sessions for both civil and criminal proceedings; read back portions of court record as required. Provide transcripts within the time and cost limitations set by the Judicial Conference; electronically file with the Clerk of Court a copy of all transcripts prepared concurrently with delivery to the requesting parties.

Provide transcripts and/or a Realtime feed to the Court upon request, without charge. Perform administrative duties as required, such as billing for transcripts, financial and other record keeping, preparation and filing of required Administrative Office reports, and responding to official correspondence and telephone calls. Maintain and safeguard records until they are disposed of according to statutory requirements and national and local policies.

Adhere to the requirements of The Guide to Judiciary Policy, Volume VI, as well as the Court's local Court Reporter Management Plan. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications & Preferred Qualifications Must possess a minimum of at least one (1) year of prime court reporting experience in a court, or in the freelance field of service or a combination thereof.

Must have passed the Registered Professional Reporters (RPR) examination administered by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or passed an equivalent qualifying examination*. Realtime court reporting proficiency, Realtime certification is preferred. Must own or be willing to purchase, upon entry on duty, realtime court reporting equipment.

Excellent organizational and communication skills to permit the production of transcripts within strict time limitations. Work well under pressure and be willing to work as part of a team of court reporters fulfilling the needs of all judicial officers of the Court. Must possess tact, good judgement, poise, initiative, and always maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.

*Equivalent Qualifying Examination - Professional associations (other than the NCRA) and state license examinations may be acceptably equivalent to the NCRA testing, but the requirements for the examinations at the time of administration should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis as the requirements change from time-to-time. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS Registered Professional Reporters (RPR) or equivalent qualifying exam. Reporters who possess a Certificate of Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) or are a Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) from NCRA or have passed an equivalent qualifying exam.

Reporters with prior federal court experience. COMPENSATION CRLEVEL1:$96,857 (minimum qualifications) CRLEVEL2:$101,699 (requires merit certification)* CRLEVEL3:$106,542 (requires realtime certification)** CRLEVEL4:$111,385 (requires realtime and merit certification) CRLEVEL5:$116,229 (current Federal Official Court Reporter hired before October 11, 2009, with longevity: minimum of ten years Federal Service; Merit and Realtime Certification by NCRA) *Merit Certification (RMR): Registered merit reporter certificate from NCRA **Realtime Certification (CRR): Successful completion of a certified realtime examination by NCRA In addition to the starting salary for court reporters set by the Judicial Conference, an official court reporter is entitled to transcript fees from any party who has contracted with the court reporter for transcript services. The following link provides further information on the Federal Court Reporting Program transcripts.

https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/federal-court-reporting-program Application Procedure Qualified candidates may apply by submitting a cover letter (include job title/number listed above), detailed resume, e-mail address, daytime phone number, and a copy of all court reporter certifications to: www.txwd.uscourts.gov > Court Info > Jobs > Current Employment Opportunities & Online Application. Applications will be considered as soon as received and will continue to be considered until the position is filled. The United States Courts reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice

More than one position may be filled from this posting. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the Court Unit Executive may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without posting the position. The Court is not authorized to reimburse travel expenses for interviews or relocation.

This position is subject to mandatory electronic direct deposit of salary payments. All applicants must be a U.S. citizen or must be a lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) and seeking U.S

citizenship. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed. Employees of the U.S

Courts serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at-will" employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause). All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees (available for review upon request). Applicants scheduled to interview should advise the Human Resources staff if any accommodation is needed.

The United States District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer