Court Reporter in Arizona: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Legal and public services
Arizona employs 70 court reporters, with a statewide median of $77,770 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arizona licensing picture, and where to train.
What Court reporters Earn in Arizona (May 2025)
- Arizona median pay
- $77,770 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $61,510
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $79,310
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $90,020
- Employed in Arizona
- 70
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $67,310 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Arizona
Prices in Arizona run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 100.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,770 median is worth closer to $77,229 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Arizona (2024–2034)
Arizona is projected to grow court reporters employment +9.0%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 33 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Arizona License and Certification Requirements
Arizona Certified Court Reporter (ACCR) — regulated by the Arizona Supreme Court — Certified Court Reporter Program.
- Complete a court reporter training program covering machine shorthand stenography (minimum 225 wpm) or voice writing, legal terminology, and transcript production. Programs typically take 2–4 years.
- Pass the Arizona certification exam: a skills test (225 wpm literary, 200 wpm jury charge, 180 wpm testimony) and a written test on Arizona court rules and procedure. The NCRA RPR is accepted in lieu of the AZ skills test.
- Apply to the Arizona Supreme Court for your ACCR certification. Renew every two years with continuing education.
Official requirements: Arizona Supreme Court — Certified Court Reporter Program →
Training in Arizona
Phoenix has a large private bar and busy Maricopa County Superior Court, driving strong freelance deposition reporter demand. NCRA (National Court Reporters Association) resources and online steno programs support training. Real-time reporting and CART captioning skills command premium rates in the Phoenix market.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arizona include:
- Arizona Western College — Certificate / Associate
- Brookline College-Phoenix — Associate
- Bryan University — Certificate / Associate
- Crestpoint University — Certificate / Associate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Fast, focused typists who like language, precision, and legal environments.
Think twice if: Long training drills, certification exams, or intense accuracy pressure sound draining.
Why it's resilient: Legal record work depends on accuracy, procedure, trust, and real-time human accountability.
First Steps
Try a stenography intro course before committing to a full program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in Arizona?
The median wage for court reporters in Arizona is $77,770 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $61,510, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $90,020. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Court Reporter in Arizona?
Arizona Certified Court Reporter (ACCR), overseen by the Arizona Supreme Court — Certified Court Reporter Program. Complete a court reporter training program covering machine shorthand stenography (minimum 225 wpm) or voice writing, legal terminology, and transcript production. Programs typically take 2–4 years.
Is being a Court Reporter a good career in Arizona?
Legal record work depends on accuracy, procedure, trust, and real-time human accountability.
Where can I train to become a Court Reporter in Arizona?
Real Arizona options include Arizona Western College, Brookline College-Phoenix, Bryan University. Most court reporters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Court Reporter a growing career in Arizona?
Arizona projects court reporters employment to change +9.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 33 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arizona statewide and metro estimates for SOC 27-3092. Licensing summary compiled from the Arizona Supreme Court — Certified Court Reporter Program (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arizona wages · Arizona licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.