Reporter rates

[Crystal Chilton]

Hello, I'm new to the reporting field. I'm freelance and was wondering if there is a manual that court reporters go by when it comes to rates, rules, etc. Can reporters charge different rates for different locations? I don't want to do anything that is unethical and I can't find a manual anywhere to go by. Any advice will be appreciated!

Crystal

[Jennie Ann]

$2.25 per page for reporting and providing a transcript seems a little on the low side to me. I am assuming that is for STANDARD delivery (10 days).

Do you also get copy sales in addition to the $2.25 per page?

Some court reporting companies in my area (D.C.) do an 80/20 split with the court reporter. The court reporter also receives copy sales. However, they do not get paid for the transcript until the court reporting company gets paid. So, in essence, you could be waiting a longer period of time to get paid if you elect to be paid via the 80/20 split.

In my experience, lawyers are the ABSOLUTE worst payers. I apologize in advance if there are any lawyers reading this forum. ;)

[Christina N Blair]

Can someone please tell me what the page rate should be for a freelancer who's been
working for approx 18 years. I started out making 2.25 pp. What do
you think I should be making by now. By the way I live in the New York City area.

[Jennie Ann]

Hi, Crystal. Welcome to the forum.

As to rates, it truly is an individual thing, and I also believe it can be a regional thing too.

What is important to start with is establishing a rate based on the turnaround time, meaning standard, expedited, daily copy, and same-day delivery. That's where to start.

What somebody may charge in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, may be quite different than New York City. So it would be difficult to give you a rate that is the norm, so to speak.

I'm sure some others may pipe in on this topic, but I thought I'd give you a little food for thought!