California Median
$116,020
per year
Hourly Rate
$55.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+60% vs US median
US median $72,420
State Rank
#1 of 38
1,400 employed here
How much do Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners make in California?
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in California take home a median of $116,020 annually — roughly $55.78 an hour — which runs 60% above the national median of $72,420.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $55,280 while the top 10% make $142,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,560 and $133,900 a year.
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,280 | $26.58 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $86,560 | $41.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $116,020 | $55.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $133,900 | $64.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,930 | $68.72 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 38 states and territories for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners salary in other states
Texas $110,080Washington $107,670New York $101,990Iowa $93,810Rhode Island $92,250Minnesota $83,680Colorado $83,010Massachusetts $79,940Arizona $77,770Nebraska $76,480Illinois $75,890South Dakota $75,210North Carolina $73,510Missouri $72,500North Dakota $70,540Idaho $69,330Alabama $67,340Ohio $67,330Mississippi $67,300Wisconsin $65,640Pennsylvania $65,100Louisiana $63,380Montana $62,730Nevada $62,030Michigan $61,600South Carolina $61,100Oklahoma $60,800Connecticut $59,390Maryland $59,300Arkansas $59,180West Virginia $56,790Virginia $55,210Indiana $54,740Kentucky $50,350Florida $49,240Maine $49,110Delaware $44,760
Working as Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in California
Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($116,020) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners make in California?
The median Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners salary in California is $116,020 per year, or about $55.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,280 at the entry level to $142,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners about 60% more than the national median of $72,420. California ranks 1st out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $116,020 a year. About 1,400 Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.