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Stenographers Job Overview

Stenographers prepare exact records of legal proceedings, conferences and any other event where written accounts of meetings are necessary for correspondence, records or legal proof. They play an important role in every business meeting apart from judicial proceedings where written transcripts need to be preserved. Stenographers ensure a complete, accurate and secure legal record. They even assist judges and trial attorneys in a variety of ways. The closed captioning on television is also part of the job role of stenographers. They provide closed-captioning and real-time translating services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Stenographers Schools and Degrees

A variety of one to four-year degrees are available for stenographers. Training is offered by more than 100 postsecondary vocational and technical schools and colleges. There are several technical/vocational schools, community/junior colleges and universities across the country that offer a court reporting or transcription degree. Apart from training, states have their own requirements pertaining to the clearing of a state-administered test for stenographers. Certification is mandatory for those wishing to join a professional organization. There are different levels of certification available. It usually takes less than a year to become a novice voice writer, while it takes at least two years to become proficient at real-time voice writing. The National Court Reporters Association confers the entry-level designation of Registered Professional Reporter. By demonstrating higher levels of experience and competency, stenographers may obtain additional certifications such as the Registered Merit Reporter or the Registered Diplomate Reporter.

Job Requirements

In addition to the academic qualifications, stenographers should possess speed and accuracy while typing and excellent listening and hearing skills. For those who work in courtrooms, a thorough knowledge of legal terminology and criminal and appellate procedure is essential. Stenographers must also be knowledgeable about computer hardware and software applications. Voice writers must learn to listen and speak simultaneously and be able to do it very quickly and quietly, while at the same time identifying speakers and describing peripheral activities in the courtroom or deposition room.

Nature of Work

Stenographers use a stenotype machine to document all statements made in official proceedings. The machine allows them to press multiple keys at once to record combinations of letters representing sounds, words or phrases. These symbols are electronically recorded and then translated and displayed as text in a process called Computer-Aided Transcription. Stenographers usually work in comfortable settings, such as attorney offices, courtrooms, legislatures and conventions. Many of them work from home-based offices as independent contractors or freelancers. However, the pressure to be accurate and fast can be stressful. Generally, stenographers work a standard 40-hour week, but additional hours might have to be spent preparing transcripts.

Stenographers Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, stenographers held about 19,000 jobs in the US. The job market is expected to grow by 25 percent in the next ten years. Employment is highest in the following industries:

• Business Support Services
• Employment Services
• Federal Executive Branch
• Local Government

The mean hourly wage for stenographers in the US is about $23.26, while the mean annual wages are around $48,38.

Job Numbers and Growth

If you add up all the stenographers in the country you get a total of about 19,000. There has been a low unemployment rate for workers. An unfortunate 3% of employees were without jobs in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Stenographers appear most common in Topeka (Kansas), Columbia (South Carolina), and El Paso (Texas), and least common in Newark (New Jersey), Edison (New Jersey), and Milwaukee (Wisconsin).

Portland (Oregon), Oakland (California), and New York (New York) offer the highest pay. Lafayette (Louisiana), Tampa (Florida), and Birmingham (Alabama) offer the lowest salaries.

Training and Education

A postsecondary vocational award is often necessary for working in the field. About 38% of stenographers have earned a degree. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 39% of workers. Employees with only a high school education represent about 23% of all. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Government statistics report that 14% of stenographers are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 8%.

Stenographers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

Arizona

California

Colorado

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Texas

Wisconsin