Success for Cynthia Rodriguez isn’t measured by job promotions or the size of her paycheck but by her typing speed, which currently stands at 250 words per minute. At 42 years old, Rodriguez works as a court reporter in Bakersfield, California. Her daily routine involves transcribing various legal proceedings, from high-profile murder trials to disputes about street art, using a stenotype machine—a specialized word processor with a unique keyboard for shorthand typing.
Court reporters, often known as the “guardians of the record,” hold a vital role in the U.S. legal system, ensuring accurate and impartial documentation of judicial processes. However, the profession has seen a decline in interest in recent years, resulting in a national shortage of at least 5,000 reporters, as reported by the Association for Court Reporters and Captioners.
Despite this shortage, court reporting offers several benefits that appeal to job seekers, as noted by Irene Nakamura, a court reporter with over 30 years of experience in California and Rodriguez’s mentor. This profession doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree, offers flexible working hours, allows for remote work, and, according to Nakamura, provides lucrative pay for skilled reporters, ranging from $200 for half a day’s work to over $100,000 per year.
In 2022, Rodriguez earned around $235,315 as a freelance court reporter, based on tax documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. What initially began as a means to make ends meet has blossomed into a two-decade-long career that has not only provided her with financial freedom but also a profound sense of purpose.
Cynthia Rodriguez had long aspired to become a paralegal or lawyer, but the steep tuition costs associated with college and law school proved to be a major hurdle. After graduating from high school in 1998, she briefly worked as a server at a local golf course’s café in Delano, California. However, she found the job to be unfulfilling and the income meager.
At the age of 21, Cynthia found herself newly divorced, a single mother of three children. Although pursuing a college education seemed like an almost impossible mission, she remained resolute in her quest to secure a fulfilling career that could provide for her family. In pursuit of her dream, she moved back in with her parents in Bakersfield and sought guidance from a career advisor at Bakersfield Community College. The advisor recommended enrolling in their court reporting program, a suggestion that intrigued Cynthia, as it aligned with her fascination for courtrooms as depicted in shows like “Law & Order.” With a sense of determination, she decided to give it a try.
Cynthia’s motivation stemmed from her desire to contribute positively to people’s lives and help address society’s complex issues. She recalls, “I knew I wanted to be a part of something that made a positive difference in people’s lives and helped solve some of society’s more complicated problems.” So, she embraced the opportunity. The moment she began working with the stenotype machine, she discovered an instant connection and became deeply engrossed in her newfound path.
It took Cynthia approximately three years to complete the necessary courses to obtain her license as a certified court reporter. These courses encompassed enhancing typing speed, an introduction to business law, courtroom ethics, and the language of shorthand—a condensed symbolic writing system.
The specific educational prerequisites for becoming a court reporter may differ by state. However, in most states, it typically involves having a high school diploma or equivalent and completing a court reporting program accredited by the National Court Reporters Association. This program may lead to an associate’s degree or a professional certificate. Additionally, court reporters must successfully pass a state-approved examination to attain certification.
Throughout her journey, there were moments when Cynthia contemplated giving up, particularly when faced with demanding homework assignments or the challenge of increasing her typing speed. Yet, her parents provided unwavering support and encouragement, motivating her to persevere. Cynthia reflects on their influence, saying, “My dad reminded me over and over that I could do it, I was capable of being a great court reporter, and that made me believe in myself. I had an incredible support system at home; my sister and my parents took turns watching my kids while I was at class. They were my biggest cheerleaders and gave me the foundation I needed to be successful in this endeavor.”
Upon passing her certification exam, Cynthia Rodriguez received a job recommendation from a friend she met during her court reporting program. This recommendation led her to a position with the Kern County Superior Court, where she would dedicate the next 17 years of her career.
When Cynthia commenced her role in 2005, her annual salary stood at $60,000. Remarkably, within just two years, she managed to increase her earnings to approximately $100,000. She accomplished this feat primarily by putting in overtime hours and taking on extra assignments, such as providing real-time captions for individuals with hearing impairments during depositions and business meetings.
Working for the court entails a full-time commitment, with a minimum requirement of 40 hours per week, as per Cynthia’s explanation. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for part-time work and one-off assignments that court reporters can take on to suit their preferences. Cynthia emphasizes the flexibility of the profession, saying, “Court reporting can be a very demanding career, but the great thing about it is that you can work as much or as little as you want. I like to challenge myself with difficult cases and assignments, so I typically work 10 or 11 hours on weekdays, sometimes on weekends, too.”
A current job listing on Indeed for a part-time court reporter at Kern County Superior Court specifies a salary range of $40 to $50 per hour. Additionally, court reporters receive compensation on a per-page basis for the transcripts they produce during court proceedings, according to Irene Nakamura. She estimates that this additional income can vary between $50,000 to $100,000, providing a substantial boost to their overall earnings.
In the previous year, Cynthia Rodriguez made a pivotal decision to leave her job and transition into the role of a freelance court reporter. This change allowed her to have greater control over her schedule and negotiate her rates. She crossed paths with Irene Nakamura in the spring of 2022 through Instagram and subsequently became a contract employee at Nakamura’s court reporting firm, IDepo Reporters.
Although Rodriguez still dedicates long hours to her work, typically with 10-hour workdays, she has managed to reduce her weekend commitments. She now enjoys the flexibility of choosing assignments with later morning start times or those that require her presence only three or four days a week.
Throughout her nearly two-decade-long career as a court reporter, the most challenging aspect of her job has remained consistent: the need to maintain emotional composure regardless of the dramatic or heart-wrenching nature of the trials she transcribes. She explains, “You’re sitting inches away from people accused of murder, abuse, these very awful, disgusting crimes. It can be incredibly heavy, and in moments like that, I’ll just try to find a focal point I can concentrate on instead, like a beautiful palm tree outside the window.”
To cope with these emotionally taxing moments, Rodriguez draws strength from the awareness of the significance of her role in the pursuit of justice. She underscores the critical role court reporters play, stating, “Jurors, lawyers, judges, all of the key players in that courtroom rely on your writing to make a fair decision.”
Currently, she is pursuing certification as a court reporter in Hawaii, with the aim of splitting her time between Hawaii and California. In the future, she envisions establishing her own court reporting agency. Rodriguez concludes by expressing her deep satisfaction with her profession, saying, “Every day I wake up and I love what I do. What more could you want from a job?”
Source: cnbc.com
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