Court Reporter in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Legal and public services
North Dakota employs 60 court reporters, with a statewide median of $70,540 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Court reporters Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)
- North Dakota median pay
- $70,540 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $56,030
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $81,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $81,130
- Employed in North Dakota
- 60
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $67,310 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for court reporters in major North Dakota markets:
- Fargo
- $80,720 (30 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota
Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $70,540 median stretches to roughly $79,258 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)
North Dakota is projected to shrink court reporters employment -4.3%, 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.
North Dakota License and Certification Requirements
No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard — regulated by the No North Dakota state license.
- North Dakota 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 North Dakota state license →
Training in North Dakota
Reporter shortages mean steady official and freelance/deposition work. Real-time and CART skills command a premium.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:
- Bismarck State College — Associate
- Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Certificate / Associate
- Sitting Bull College — 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 North Dakota?
The median wage for court reporters in North Dakota is $70,540 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $56,030, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,130. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Court Reporter in North Dakota?
No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard, overseen by the No North Dakota state license. North Dakota does not license court reporters.
Is being a Court Reporter a good career in North Dakota?
Legal record work depends on accuracy, procedure, trust, and real-time human accountability.
Which North Dakota metros pay court reporters the most?
Among North Dakota metro areas, Fargo leads at $80,720. 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 North Dakota?
Real North Dakota options include Bismarck State College, Rasmussen University-North Dakota, Sitting Bull College. Most court reporters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Court Reporter a growing career in North Dakota?
North Dakota projects court reporters employment to change -4.3% 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), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 27-3092. Licensing summary compiled from the No North Dakota 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 North Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.