NorthJersey.com

Job Match: Court reporter

Friday, September 16, 2011

PHOTO COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS DEMAND FOR COURTREPORTERS IS EXPECTED TO GROW BY 18 PERCENT THROUGH 2018, MUCH FASTER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR ALL OCCUPATIONS.

SPECIAL TO NORTH JERSEY JOBS

What They Do

Court reporters create verbatim transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events. They play a critical role not only in judicial proceedings, but also at every meeting where the spoken word must be preserved as a written record. Typical tasks include:

• Transcribing verbal exchanges word-for-word using a stenotype machine.

(A stenotype is a special type of keyboard device that allows the user to press multiple keys at once.)

• Electronic reporting, i.e. recording proceedings with audio equipment. The reporter monitors the process, augments the recording to identify speakers and other information not picked up on the recording, and checks the tape for clarity and quality.

Once the proceeding is over, the reporter may create a written transcript from the tape.

• Increasingly, court reporters provide closed captioning for the deaf and translation services for non-English speakers.

Qualifications

Court reporters learn the skill at vocational and technical schools. They advance in skill through on-the-job practice. In New Jersey, court reporters must be certified. The key requirement for certification is to pass the state-approved examination given by the National Court Reporters Association. Details are given at http://www.njconsumeraffairs .gov /court/court _licensee.htm.

What They Make

As of May 2008, court reporters had median annual wages of $49,710 with a range from $25,360 to $83,500. Wages for official court reports are slightly higher than for those employed in business. Beyond wages, court reporters can also earn significant income from freelance work.

Where They Work

As of 2008, a little more than half of court reporters were employed by State and local governments in courts, legislatures, and various agencies. Most of the remaining salaried workers were employed by court reporting agencies. Others worked for corporations and in the broadcast industry.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011.

Outlook

Demand for court reporters is expected to grow by18 percent through 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Employment Projection, Court Reporters

2008: 21,500

2018 projection: 25,400

Numeric change: + 3,900

Percent change: + 18 percent

Source: National Employment Matrix

Drivers / Trends

• Demand for court reporters will be driven by the increasing need for the service while fewer people are entering the profession.

• Court reporters with certification and those who choose to specialize in providing Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) services, broadcast captioning, or webcasting services should have the best job opportunities.

• The Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal legislation mandating that broadcasters and colleges and universities provide captioning and translation for non-English speakers and the deaf or hard of hearing will also drive demand for court reporters trained in CART.

Contact: chris.brune@amdurcoaching.com, 973-764-9757.