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

Legal and public services

South Dakota employs 40 court reporters, with a statewide median of $75,210 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Court reporters Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $75,210 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $63,610
Experienced (75th percentile): $78,540
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,960
Employed in South Dakota: 40
U.S. median (for comparison): $67,310 (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Dakota

Prices in South Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $75,210 median stretches to roughly $84,887 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow court reporters employment +4.2%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

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

South 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 South Dakota state license →

Training in South 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 South Dakota include:

National American University-Rapid City — Associate
Sinte Gleska University — 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 Dakota?

The median wage for court reporters in South Dakota is $75,210 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,610, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,960. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

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

Where can I train to become a Court Reporter in South Dakota?

Real South Dakota options include National American University-Rapid City, Sinte Gleska 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 South Dakota?

South Dakota projects court reporters employment to change +4.2% from 2024 to 2034 — 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 Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 27-3092. Licensing summary compiled from the No South 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 South Dakota wages · South 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.