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Court Reporter in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Legal and public services

South Carolina employs 140 court reporters, with a statewide median of $61,100 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Court reporters Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)

South Carolina median pay: $61,100 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,190
Experienced (75th percentile): $70,810
Top earners (90th percentile): $76,300
Employed in South Carolina: 140
U.S. median (for comparison): $67,310 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for court reporters in major South Carolina markets:

Charlotte: $63,840 (30 employed)
Columbia: $60,380 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina

Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,100 median stretches to roughly $65,208 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)

South Carolina is projected to grow court reporters employment +1.1%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Carolina License and Certification Requirements

No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard — regulated by the No South Carolina state license.

South Carolina 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 South Carolina state license →

Training in South Carolina

Reporter shortages mean steady official and freelance/deposition work. Real-time and CART skills command a premium.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:

Bob Jones University — Associate
Central Carolina Technical College — Associate
Florence-Darlington Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Greenville Technical College — 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 South Carolina?

The median wage for court reporters in South Carolina is $61,100 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,190, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $76,300. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Court Reporter in South Carolina?

No state license; the NCRA RPR is the working standard, overseen by the No South Carolina state license. South Carolina does not license court reporters.

Is being a Court Reporter a good career in South Carolina?

Legal record work depends on accuracy, procedure, trust, and real-time human accountability.

Which South Carolina metros pay court reporters the most?

Among South Carolina metro areas, Charlotte leads at $63,840, followed by Columbia ($60,380). 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 South Carolina?

Real South Carolina options include Bob Jones University, Central Carolina Technical College, Florence-Darlington Technical 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 South Carolina?

South Carolina projects court reporters employment to change +1.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 27-3092. Licensing summary compiled from the No South Carolina 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 South Carolina wages · South Carolina 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.