How long does the training take?

Typically a few months to two years for the certificate, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do court reporters and simultaneous captioners make?

The US median is $72,420 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.

Where can you train for this work?

31 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Court reporters and simultaneous captioners: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Arts, design, media & film · SOC 27-3092

$72,420US median pay, 2025

-0.1%Projected growth, 2025–35

1,800Openings per year

CertificateUsual way in

How you get in

A certificate or short program is the usual way in.

Postsecondary nondegree award
Short-term on-the-job training
Work in: court reporters and simultaneous captioners

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Court Reporting and Captioning/Court Reporter	CIP 22.0303	30
Voice Writing Technology/Technician	CIP 10.0204	2
Court Interpreter	CIP 22.0304	1
Scopist	CIP 22.0305	1

See the 31 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically a few months to two years for the certificate, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do court reporters and simultaneous captioners make?: The US median is $72,420 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.
Where can you train for this work?: 31 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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