Court Reporter in Delaware: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Legal and public services
Delaware employs 40 court reporters, with a statewide median of $44,760 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.
What Court reporters Earn in Delaware (May 2025)
- Delaware median pay
- $44,760 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $40,350
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,460
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $86,130
- Employed in Delaware
- 40
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $67,310 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for court reporters in major Delaware markets:
- Philadelphia
- $74,760 (240 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware
Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $44,760 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Delaware (2024–2034)
Delaware is projected to shrink court reporters employment -5.8%, slower than the +0.0% projected nationally.
Delaware License and Certification Requirements
No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard — regulated by the No Delaware state license.
- Delaware does not license court reporters.
- Complete a court-reporting program (stenographic or voice) and build speed toward ~225 wpm.
- Earn the NCRA Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) — expected for court and deposition work.
Official requirements: No Delaware state license →
Training in Delaware
Reporter shortages mean steady official and freelance/deposition work. Real-time and CART skills command a premium.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Delaware include:
- Delaware Technical Community College-Terry — 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 Delaware?
The median wage for court reporters in Delaware is $44,760 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,350, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $86,130. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Court Reporter in Delaware?
No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard, overseen by the No Delaware state license. Delaware does not license court reporters.
Is being a Court Reporter a good career in Delaware?
Legal record work depends on accuracy, procedure, trust, and real-time human accountability.
Which Delaware metros pay court reporters the most?
Among Delaware metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $74,760. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Court Reporter in Delaware?
Real Delaware options include Delaware Technical Community College-Terry. Most court reporters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Court Reporter a growing career in Delaware?
Delaware projects court reporters employment to change -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 27-3092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Delaware state license (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 Delaware wages · Delaware 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.