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Captioner and Court Reporter

Captioners and court reporters write machine shorthand at a minimum speed of 225 words per minute to capture every word spoken. Computer technology instantly translates shorthand notes into English text that can be displayed or printed.

Also Known As

Broadcast Captioner, CART Provider, Court Transcriptionist, Legal Reporter, Legal Transcriptionist, Live-Event Captioner, Onsite Captioning Provider, Realtime Reporter, Stenographer, Verbatim Shorthand Reporter

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 1244.1: Court Recorders

2006 NOC-S

  • B214: Court Recorders and Medical Transcriptionists

2011 NOC

  • 1251: Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations

2016 NOC

  • 1251: Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations

2021 NOC

  • 12110: Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations

2023 OaSIS

  • 12110.01: Court reporters
Duties
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Duties and specific tasks vary depending on the reporter’s specialization.

Court reporters write and produce verbatim transcripts of pre-trial questionings, court trials, quasi-judicial proceedings, questionings for discovery, and public hearings. They may provide real-time verbatim reporting services on request.

Live-event captioners simultaneously translate shorthand notes or spoken word into text, and may follow up with transcripts. There are 2 types of captioners:

  • CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) providers, also known as onsite captioning providers, deliver real-time captions in educational, corporate, or community settings for people who are deaf or who have hearing loss.
  • Broadcast captioners specialize in providing live captions for television and internet programming, such as live newscasts or sporting events.
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Most captioners and court reporters work in urban environments. They may work in boardrooms, conference rooms, courts, or classrooms as well as business or community settings. Many have home offices.

Captioners and court reporters often work long hours and may need to sit for 2 or 3 hours at a time while concentrating on a high standard of work. Depending on the nature of the proceedings, they may be making transcriptions in challenging circumstances. Many proceedings are now conducted virtually, where the court reporter or captioner will write the proceeding from their home.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Court Recorders

2006 NOC: 1244.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in copying information to transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats; in responding to requests during court sessions to read back verbatim evidence, in responding to requests for transcripts ordered by judges, lawyers or the public, and in verifying accuracy of rulings by checking with judge

OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines or stenomask

innovative

Interest to research and locate quotes to ensure accuracy

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Captioners and court reporters need:

  • Discretion
  • Flexibility to adapt to last-minute changes
  • English skills, including an extensive vocabulary and expertise in grammar
  • Attention to detail
  • Time-management skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Physical and mental stamina
  • Excellent hearing
  • The ability to work independently
  • Knowledge of current events and the world around them
  • An interest in law

They should enjoy:

  • Working within clear rules and guidelines with minimal direction or supervision
  • Working with technology
  • Learning about diverse topics
  • Completing work that requires a high degree of accuracy within set timelines

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations

2016 NOC: 1251

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 20 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 12, 2022 and Nov 21, 2023.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Health benefits: Health care plan
Long term benefits: Life insurance
Financial benefits: Piece work
Work under pressure
Sitting
Long term benefits: Group insurance benefits
Long term benefits: Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)
Long term benefits: Other benefits
Health benefits: Vision care benefits
Financial benefits: Bonus
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

The Alberta Shorthand Reporters Association (ASRA) recommends that prospective captioners and court reporters take their training in a program approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). Some employers will only hire reporters who have completed this training. Students training to become reporters should study computer-compatible machine shorthand theory.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Court or Shorthand Reporter

Court or shorthand reporters write machine shorthand at a minimum speed of 225 words per minute to capture every word spoken. Computer technology instantly translates shorthand notes into English text that can be displayed or printed.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf] and Alberta Shorthand Reporters Regulation [pdf], you must register as a member of the Alberta Shorthand Reporters Association (ASRA) to use the title of Certified Shorthand Reporter (Alberta) or the initials CSR(A).

You do not have to register if you do not call yourself a Certified Shorthand Reporter.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Court or Shorthand Reporter.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Captioners and court reporters are typically self-employed or work for private reporting companies. Some are hired by federal or provincial governments.

Self-employed captioners and court reporters supply their own equipment. This could include a shorthand machine, laptop computer, and industry-specific software. The cost could be as much as $5,000 to $10,000. Some items may need ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
2016 NOC: 1251

80.5% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
2021 NOC: 12110
Medium
Demand
2,200
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
2016 NOC: 1251
2.3%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
39
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Captioners and Court Reporters are paid an hourly rate plus transcription fees. Income from transcription fees is generally higher for live, full, and expedited transcription services. Depending on the type and volume of work, court reporters can earn over $100,000 a year (2022 estimate).

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations

2016 NOC: 1251
Average Wage
$30.68
Per Hour
Average Salary
$53,120.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 1251 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $17.33 $27.55 $25.33 $27.55
Overall $23.00 $33.50 $30.68 $32.90
Top $26.00 $34.79 $31.46 $33.50

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
14%
14%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
0%
0%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Clerical and Administrative Support
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Alberta Shorthand Reporters Association (ASRA) website: www.asraonline.com

National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) website: www.ncra.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 21, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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