Court reporters create word-for-word transcriptions at trials, depositions, and other legal proceedings. Some court reporters provide captioning for television and real-time translation for deaf or hard-of-hearing people at public events, at business meetings, or in classrooms.
Work Environment
Most court reporters work for state or local governments in courts or legislatures. However, some work remotely in broadcast captioning from either their home or a central office.
How to Become a Court Reporter
Many community colleges and technical institutes offer postsecondary certificate programs for court reporters. Many states require court reporters who work in legal settings to be licensed or certified by a professional association.
Pay
The median annual wage for court reporters was $48,160 in May 2012.
Job Outlook
Employment of court reporters is projected to grow 10 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Those with experience and training in techniques for helping deaf or hard-of-hearing people, such as real-time captioning and Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), will have the best job prospects.
