Missouri regularly offers court reporter openings.
For the dedicated individual, the study and certificate requirements are worth the excellent salary provided.
Each state has its own specific and general duties for court reporters.
The growth rate will be around 3% over the next ten years.
There are shortcuts in the learning process to do your new job more quickly and efficiently.
We will provide the information for these below.
Steps to Becoming a Court Reporter in Missouri
A primary court reporter creates word transcriptions of legal proceedings.
To be considered for the position in Missouri, you must have certification and on-the-job training experience.
Look for technical institutions and community colleges in your area that offer court reporting courses.
Additional helpful courses include simultaneous captioning, shorthand, stenotype, electronic sound recording equipment, and stenomask.
There are also online courses that offer virtual studies and practice sessions for improving your learned skills.
Choose an accredited Court Reporter Program accepted in Missouri and graduate.
A primary Registered Skilled Reporter (RSR) has to pass a series of tests provided by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
Different court reporting levels can be sought after with the offered tests.
You can also take exams in Missouri through the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners or the Missouri Court Reporters Association.
After you apply for your certification in Missouri and successfully pass the exam, you can become a certified court reporter in that state.
Contact the judicial administrator or the circuit court, appellate court, or Supreme Court for a specific job advertised as a court reporter.
Missouri may require you to participate in hands-on training with a seasoned employee.
There are other ways to be hired as a court reporter without working for the state.
A freelance court reporter can offer their services to entities such as:
- hospitals
- Institutes for education
- Trade unions
- media
- Private reporting firms
The same certification is required for becoming a direct employee or a freelance RSR.
Continue your education to maintain your Missouri Certification.
A Certified Court Reporter (CCR) must complete at least ten credit hours of continuing education each year to stay active.
Court Reporter Schools in Missouri
Some Missouri schools provide knowledge and training to become a court reporter.
Physical and online courses offer programs for specific job searches.
St. Charles Community College, St. Peters, Missouri.
An online program with legal transcription and digital court reporting takes six months to complete.
Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Missouri.
A 100% online program and 120 course hours prepare you for the Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) exam.
St. Charles City School District, St. Charles,
Missouri.
The digital court reporter course is an online program that fully prepares you for the national AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter and Certified Electronic Transcriber exams.
Court Reporting Institute of Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas.
A 6-month program on campus is designed to build your learned skills to a level that this job requires.
From early entry positions to more intense jobs, this school will provide all the tools you need to further your education in court reporting.
Tuition starts at $1,954 for the Theory Program and continues upward to $9,336 for a 2-year Speedbuilding online course.
The average national cost for online court reporting courses varies from $4,400 to $12,000, depending on the level of education.
Be sure to select only those recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or endorsed by The National Court Reporters Association.
Out-of-state schools are also an option if listed with the National Verbatim Reporters Association.
Check with The National Court Reporters Association for a more extensive list of approved court reporter schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know how many courses I need to take to earn top dollar?
Each job opening will have a list of qualifications required for the court reporting opening.
Experience also plays a part in a higher wage.
Explore the possibilities to decide your skill level.
You can always select a lower-paying job with less stress and take more classes as you feel comfortable.
Is speed a factor in passing the exam?
Speed is a factor in preparation for the court reporter exam.
A minimum of 225 shorthand wpm is required to pass this test.
Yearly exams are also needed to ensure your abilities are still sharp.
What type of personality works well in the court atmosphere?
A court reporter position requires a person to be reserved and able to work without guidance.
If you can work alone and follow instructions, you will not have trouble as a court reporter.
Bubbly, outgoing personalities often find this position boring and mundane.
However, there are positions outside the courtroom that are more lax.
A career as a court reporter does not fit everyone’s agenda.
However, if you appreciate the ability to maximize your ability to transcribe and continually expand into the world of technology, court reporting could be a good fit for you.
New digital, real-time, and verbal tools are being accepted to promote better reporting and other related jobs.
Court Reporter Salary Information
The median yearly wage in the United States for a court reporter is $80550.
Different areas of the country and your skills and experience can raise or lower this number.
The median average in Missouri is $68909.
With advanced education, specific areas within the court system can deliver higher pay, as shown:
- Court Commissioner – $188,900
- Court Records Researcher – $110,300
- Court Master – $105,290
- District Court Administrator – $101,950
- District Court Judge – $98,520
Different areas of the state also have varying annual salaries for Missouri court reporters.
For example:
- St, Joseph – $75,090
- St. Louis – $71,670
- Columbia – $69,700
- Springfield – $68,325
- Joplin – $67,110
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$43K |
|
$59K |
|
$78K |
Average Salary in Missouri
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $61,364 |
| St. Louis | $61,608 |
| Springfield | $58,492 |
| Independence | $61,298 |
| Columbia | $60,899 |
| St. Joseph | $60,772 |
| Lee's Summit | $61,131 |
| St. Charles | $61,275 |
| St. Peters | $61,142 |
| Florissant | $61,508 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 60 | $63,260 | $30.41 | $70,300 | $39,600 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 110 | $68,270 | $32.82 | $84,780 | $56,320 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Court Reporter Programs by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
It has always been my dream to become a court reporter but things happen. I am glad to come across this post! I think it’s never too late to make my dreams come true.
Thank you for this comprehensive guide on becoming a court reporter in Missouri. It’s incredibly helpful for anyone interested in this career path!