Jun 15, 2026
On paper, court reporting might seem like a career that’s at severe risk of becoming fully automated by artificial intelligence, especially as transcription services improve and the cost of using them declines. But a funny thing is happening in courtrooms across America. The demand for flesh-and-blood court reporters continues to grow.
The job, which can pay up to $100,000 per year with extras (such as selling transcript copies and transcribing depositions) is facing a severe shortage of workers. Over the last decade, the number of human court reporters has fallen by 21% to less than 23,000.
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While that has opened the door for automation, courts are finding AI isn’t quite up to the job yet. Because the court reporter’s transcript becomes an official court record, some judges aren’t willing to entrust it entirely to technology that’s imperfect.
This was highlighted three years ago in the high-profile SC murder trial of Alex Murdaugh. The court made a digital recording of the trial as a backup to the court reporter. The transcript was so flawed it was of no use to the defense.
Retirement threats
The shortage in court reporters comes as a retirement wave hits the industry. Stenography is not a field that younger people often consider — and many who do become frustrated with the training process, which can take several years.
To bridge the gap, some courts are allowing “digital” reporters to transcribe testimony and judge’s orders. These workers use digital recording equipment, but then certify the transcripts themselves, adding a layer of human verification.
Different states have very different rules when it comes to electronic recording in courtrooms. California prohibits it in many civil cases. North Dakota, meanwhile, has switched to recording all proceedings, phasing out stenographers. And the Texas Supreme Court recently heard arguments on whether AI-assisted transcription tools can legally replace certified court reporters in Texas depositions.
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Shortage is a “crisis”
The ban against automated court reporters in California has led to a lawsuit. Two legal nonprofits recently argued to the state Supreme Court that the banning of electronic recording impacts low-income litigants unfairly. The transcripts are needed to appeal cases, so people who cannot afford to pay for a private court recorder are often left with no recourse.
“The California judicial system is in crisis, and our most vulnerable civil litigants are paying an intolerable price for it,” said Sonya Winner of Covington & Burling LLP.
The issue in California is hardly a new one. The state has seen a shortage of reporters for decades. It’s reaching a tipping point, though. Over one million hearings and trials were held without a transcript in the year ending March 2025.
It’s not a problem that can be solved quickly. Court reporters must have a high school degree or a GED. You’ll need either a degree in court reporting or a certification, which takes, on average, 18 to 24 months to earn (and requires a 95% accuracy rating on all dictation tests). You’ll also have to learn legal terminology and shorthand. Many states require you to be licensed as well.
Perhaps as a result, the gap in court reporters remains, making those who fill it even more valuable to attorneys and courts.
“Court reporters remain one of the most in-demand professions in the legal industry,” writes First Legal, a comprehensive litigation support and attorney services firm.
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Chris Morris is a veteran journalist with more than 35 years of experience at many of the internet's biggest news outlets. In addition to his activities as a writer, reporter and editor, Chris is also a frequent panel moderator and speaker at major conferences, including CES and South by Southwest.
