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

Legal and public services

Texas employs 1,270 court reporters, with a statewide median of $110,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Court reporters Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $110,080 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $54,520
Experienced (75th percentile): $130,560
Top earners (90th percentile): $137,410
Employed in Texas: 1,270
U.S. median (for comparison): $67,310 (May 2024)

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

Austin: $130,730 (130 employed)
Houston: $129,380 (260 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $125,970 (220 employed)
San Antonio: $123,900 (150 employed)
El Paso: $106,010 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $110,080 median stretches to roughly $113,368 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow court reporters employment +7.0%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 140 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) — regulated by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC).

Complete court reporting training to build to ~225 wpm (Texas programs include Lamar State College Orange and University of Houston–Downtown's program; many train online).
Pass the Texas CSR examination (administered by the Texas Court Reporters Association on the JBCC's behalf) plus DPS/FBI background checks.
Renew every 2 years with 10 CE hours. An Apprentice certification lets you report proceedings outside of court while you finish qualifying.

Official requirements: Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) →

Training in Texas

Texas has a documented court reporter shortage, and freelance deposition work in Houston and Dallas is busy and well paid. Training dropout is high — the skill barrier is the moat. Stenography scholarships exist through NCRA's A-to-Z program if you want to test aptitude cheaply.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Alvin Community College — Certificate / Associate
Amarillo College — Certificate / Associate
Angelina College — Associate
Arlington Career Institute — Certificate

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 Texas?

The median wage for court reporters in Texas is $110,080 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $54,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $137,410. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR), overseen by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC). Complete court reporting training to build to ~225 wpm (Texas programs include Lamar State College Orange and University of Houston–Downtown's program; many train online).

Is being a Court Reporter a good career in Texas?

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

Which Texas metros pay court reporters the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $130,730, followed by Houston ($129,380), Dallas–Fort Worth ($125,970). 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 Texas?

Real Texas options include Alvin Community College, Amarillo College, Angelina 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 Texas?

Texas projects court reporters employment to change +7.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 140 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 27-3092. Licensing summary compiled from the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) (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 Texas wages · Texas 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.