Court Reporter in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Legal and public services
Montana employs 50 court reporters, with a statewide median of $62,730 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Court reporters Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $62,730 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $50,870
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $68,620
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $78,890
- Employed in Montana
- 50
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $67,310 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,730 median stretches to roughly $66,311 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)
Montana is projected to shrink court reporters employment -7.7%, slower than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard — regulated by the No Montana state license.
- Montana 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 Montana state license →
Training in Montana
Reporter shortages mean steady official and freelance/deposition work. Real-time and CART skills command a premium.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Montana include:
- Fort Peck Community College — Certificate
- Helena College University of Montana — Certificate
- The University of Montana — Associate
- University of Providence — 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 Montana?
The median wage for court reporters in Montana is $62,730 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,870, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Court Reporter in Montana?
No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard, overseen by the No Montana state license. Montana does not license court reporters.
Is being a Court Reporter a good career in Montana?
Legal record work depends on accuracy, procedure, trust, and real-time human accountability.
Where can I train to become a Court Reporter in Montana?
Real Montana options include Fort Peck Community College, Helena College University of Montana, The University of Montana. Most court reporters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Court Reporter a growing career in Montana?
Montana projects court reporters employment to change -7.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 openings a year — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 27-3092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Montana 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 Montana wages · Montana 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.