Court Reporting and Captioning: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for precision and professionalism, this program equips students with the technical and linguistic expertise needed to accurately document legal and judicial proceedings in real time. Graduates are prepared to serve as essential contributors in courtrooms, arbitration settings, and legal environments, ensuring that spoken words are captured with fidelity and integrity.
- Legal Terminology: Mastery of specialized vocabulary used in civil, criminal, and administrative law to ensure accurate and contextually appropriate transcription.
- Legal Transcription: Advanced training in producing formal, court-verified transcripts from recorded or live proceedings, adhering to strict legal standards.
- Shorthand Systems: Instruction in stenographic methods, including machine shorthand and phonetic transcription, enabling real-time reporting during fast-paced legal sessions.
- Verbatim Recording: Techniques for capturing every spoken word, including hesitations, pauses, and non-verbal cues, preserving the full context of testimony.
- Equipment Operation and Procedures: Hands-on experience with digital reporting devices, transcription software, and courtroom technology to maintain seamless workflow.
- Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of federal, state, and professional regulations governing the accuracy, confidentiality, and admissibility of legal records.
- Professional Ethics and Standards: Emphasis on confidentiality, impartiality, and accountability in the handling of sensitive legal information and court documentation.
Court Reporting and Captioning Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Court Reporting and Captioning Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Court Reporting and Captioning degrees, including Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 12,630 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners 27-3092 | $67,310 | $39,100 - $127,020 | 12,630 | $32.36 |
Court Reporting and Captioning Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,990 in Kentucky to $109,220 in New York—a 128% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, Texas, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 12,630 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Court Reporting and Captioning by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 33 institutions offering Court Reporting and Captioning programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Court Reporting and Captioning is found at Tri-Community Adult Education (52 graduates), Arlington Career Institute (ACI) (45 graduates), Lamar State College (LSCO), Orange (21 graduates), Plaza College (19 graduates), and Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) (19 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 380 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-Community Adult Education |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
52 | Covina, California | Public | tri-communityadulted.org |
| Arlington Career Institute (ACI) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
45 | Grand Prairie, Texas | Private | arlingtoncareerinstitute.edu |
| Lamar State College (LSCO) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Orange, Texas | Public | lsco.edu |
| Plaza College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
19 | Forest Hills, New York | Private | plazacollege.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| College of Marin (COM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Kentfield, California | Public | marin.edu |
| Gadsden State Community College (GSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Gadsden, Alabama | Public | gadsdenstate.edu |
| Del Mar College (DMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | delmar.edu |
| South Coast College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
12 | Orange, California | Private | southcoastcollege.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Atlantic Technical College (ATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | Coconut Creek, Florida | Public | atlantictechnicalcollege.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| College of Court Reporting Inc (CCR) |
Associate's
|
8 | Valparaiso, Indiana | Private | ccr.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Downey Adult School (DAS) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
8 | Downey, California | Public | das.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| Five Towns College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Dix Hills, New York | Private | ftc.edu |
| Vernon College |
Other Award
|
5 | Vernon, Texas | Public | vernoncollege.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| GateWay Community College (GWCC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | gatewaycc.edu |
| Taft College |
Associate's
|
3 | Taft, California | Public | taftcollege.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
3 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Other Award
|
3 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Bryan University |
Associate's
|
2 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | bryanuniversity.edu |
| Humphreys University |
Associate's
|
2 | Stockton, California | Private | humphreys.edu |
| Generations College |
Associate's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | generations.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
2 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Cleveland, Wisconsin | Public | gotoltc.edu |
| Black Hawk College (BHC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Moline, Illinois | Public | bhc.edu |
| Lake Land College |
Associate's
|
1 | Mattoon, Illinois | Public | lakelandcollege.edu |
| Pearl River Community College (PRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Poplarville, Mississippi | Public | prcc.edu |
| Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Nanticoke, Pennsylvania | Public | luzerne.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Court Reporting and Captioning programs
How much can I earn with a Court Reporting and Captioning degree?
Salaries for Court Reporting and Captioning graduates vary by role and location. Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners earn a median of $67,310 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $109,220 compared to $47,990 in Kentucky. Approximately 12,630 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Court Reporting and Captioning programs?
Currently 34 accredited institutions offer Court Reporting and Captioning degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Tri-Community Adult Education (52 graduates), Arlington Career Institute (ACI) (45 graduates), and Lamar State College (LSCO), Orange (21 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Court Reporting and Captioning growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 624 in 2010 to 380 in 2023-24. This represents a 39% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Court Reporting and Captioning degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners. Related occupations employ approximately 12,630 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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