What does a Court Reporter do?

Court Reporters are an important part of the justice system, as they create an accurate record of every legal proceeding, ensuring judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and other individuals know exactly what happened during each case. Their main job is to use stenography equipment, digital recording devices and other tools to produce word-for-word transcripts. If you manage a law firm or work for a courthouse, you may also need your Court Reporter to administer an oath before each witness testifies.

Court Reporter skills and qualifications

A successful Court Reporter may need these skills and qualifications to perform the essential functions of your job opening:

• Familiarity with legal and medical terminology

• Ability to operate stenography equipment and other tools used to take notes and produce transcripts of court proceedings

• Excellent written communication skills, including a strong command of grammar and mechanics

• Skill in using shorthand to take notes during court proceedings

• Strong attention to detail, especially when recording gestures and other types of nonverbal communication

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Excellent time management and organizational skills

Court Reporter salary expectations

Per Bureau of Labor Statistics information, the average Court Reporter salary is $63,560 per year. However, it’s important to note that factors such as geographic location, experience and any certifications may affect salary.

Court Reporter experience requirements

Many employers prefer to hire Court Reporters with at least one year of professional experience. However, you may want to consider applicants with experience in a closely related field, such as closed captioning or medical transcription. With additional training, an applicant with experience in one of these fields should be able to perform the duties of a Court Reporter. It’s also helpful to look for applicants who have completed internships or cooperative education placements.

Court Reporter education and training requirements

Each state has a unique set of requirements for Court Reporters, but it’s common to require a two-year degree or professional certificate in court reporting. If you need someone to handle specific types of cases, you may want to look for a Court Reporter who has a bachelor’s degree. For example, if you work for a law firm that specializes in medical malpractice cases, you may benefit from hiring someone who has a bachelor’s degree in health sciences, medical technology or a related discipline.

Court Reporter job description samples for similar positions

If this Court Reporter job description isn’t the right fit for your company’s needs, review these job descriptions for similar roles:

• Legal Assistant

• Legal Secretary

• Paralegal

Court Reporter job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Court Reporter?

A successful Court Reporter must be able to maintain their concentration, even when there are distractions all around them. Court Reporters must also be mature enough to remain composed when viewing graphic court exhibits or listening to testimony from the victims of violent offenses. A good reporter must also be able to juggle multiple court dates without missing the deadline for delivering any transcripts.

What is the difference between a Court Reporter and a captioner?

A Court Reporter and a captioner have many of the same skills, such as using digital tools to produce transcripts. The main difference is that Court Reporters focus on legal proceedings, while captioners typically produce transcripts of television shows, radio shows and podcasts.

What are the day-to-day duties of a Court Reporter?

No two days are exactly the same, but a Court Reporter typically attends court proceedings, listens to testimony, administers oaths to witnesses and uses specialized equipment to take shorthand notes. Court Reporters also use their notes to prepare transcripts and deliver them to the parties involved in each case.

What should you look for in a Court Reporter resume?

Look for a Court Reporter who has the skills and experience necessary to perform the essential duties listed in your court reporting job description. A strong applicant has at least one year of experience and a degree or certificate from an accredited institution. Depending on your organization’s needs, you may also want to look for someone with experience using medical terminology or working with financial documents.