Job Facts^*
Suggested Studies	Certificate or Higher
Salary, Typical	$48,530
Salary Range	$26k - $92k
Number of Jobs, 2011	18,440
Job Openings per Year (est.)	640

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Stenographer Training and Jobs

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Part-Time and Self Employment

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

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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

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Montgomery	$43,000	60	+404%

Arizona

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Phoenix	$51,000	170	+26%
Tucson	$64,000	80	+211%

Arkansas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Little Rock	$38,000	210	+707%

California

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bakersfield	$73,000	30	+55%
Sacramento	$68,000	150	+127%

Colorado

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Denver	$83,000	310	+225%

Delaware

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Wilmington	$48,000	80	+227%

District of Columbia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Washington	$45,000	520	+179%

Georgia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Atlanta	$41,000	370	+109%

Illinois

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Rockford	$38,000	40	+293%

Indiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bloomington		40	+735%
Fort Wayne	$40,000	40	+166%
Indianapolis	$37,000	150	+120%

Iowa

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cedar Rapids	$47,000	30	+198%
Des Moines	$56,000	80	+223%

Louisiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baton Rouge	$39,000	160	+470%
Lafayette	$33,000	80	+672%
New Orleans	$46,000	130	+224%
Shreveport	$46,000	90	+583%

Maine

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Portland	$83,000	60	+305%

Maryland

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baltimore	$46,000	1,920	+1816%
Bethesda	$38,000	220	+401%
Salisbury	$40,000	40	+1013%

Massachusetts

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Boston	$62,000	60	-55%

Michigan

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Detroit	$50,000	100	+96%
Grand Rapids	$49,000	40	+41%
Warren	$55,000	80	-3%

Minnesota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Minneapolis	$65,000	260	+91%

Missouri

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Kansas City	$52,000	140	+81%
St Louis	$47,000	90	-12%

New Jersey

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Camden	$48,000	90	+126%
Edison	$52,000	40	-49%
Newark	$76,000	30	-61%

New York

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Albany	$61,000	60	+76%
Buffalo	$62,000	100	+138%
Nassau	$78,000	140	+45%
Rochester	$51,000	70	+82%

North Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charlotte	$46,000	30	-54%

Ohio

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cincinnati	$53,000	170	+119%
Cleveland	$54,000	60	-23%
Columbus	$46,000	160	+128%
Toledo	$57,000	50	+127%
Youngstown	$44,000	40	+138%

Oklahoma

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Oklahoma City	$48,000	160	+264%
Tulsa	$42,000	70	+115%

Pennsylvania

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Harrisburg		30	+25%
Philadelphia	$45,000	300	+105%
Pittsburgh	$40,000	260	+197%

South Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Columbia	$36,000	130	+392%

Texas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Dallas	$60,000	500	+211%
El Paso	$56,000	110	+440%

West Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charleston	$46,000	80	+656%

^*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Court Reporters schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.

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