Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
Also called: Court monitor, Court recorder, Court reporter, Hansard reporter, Transcriptionist, Court stenographer, Medical dictatypist, Media transcriptionist, Medical transcriptionist, Braillist, Dictatypist, Transcriber
Court reporters record and transcribe verbatim the proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies and committees, and prepare transcripts for use by judges, tribunals and quasi-judicial panels. They are employed by courts of law, provincial and federal legislative assemblies and committees, or they may be self-employed. Medical transcriptionists record, transcribe and edit dictation by physicians and other health care providers, surgical proceedings, health-related reports and other medical documentation. They are employed by hospitals, medical clinics and doctors' offices, or they may be self-employed. Closed captioners, braille technicians and other transcriptionists are included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Court reporters
- Record verbatim proceedings of courtroom using electronic stenograph machine or stenomask
- Respond to requests during court sessions to read back verbatim evidence
- Transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats
- Verify accuracy of transcripts by checking copy against original record of proceedings and accuracy of rulings by checking with judge
- Research and locate quotes to ensure accuracy
- Respond to requests for transcripts ordered by judges, lawyers or the public
- File and store shorthand notes of court session
How to become one
Court reporters require completion of secondary school. Completion of a college or other program in court reporting is usually required and the Chartered Shorthand Reporter (CSR) certificate may be required for court reporters. Medical transcriptionists require completion of secondary school. Completion of a recognized medical transcription program is usually required and the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) certificate may be required for medical transcriptors. Occupations working in Braille usually require education in Unified English Braille (UEB) competence and related studies of 1-2 years.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 50% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Health and medical administrative services; Legal support services; Business operations support and assistant services.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $50,700 a year The middle half earn $43,875 to $57,681.
- About 7,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 9,400 are projected by 2033. (+19%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Health information management occupations
- Records management technicians
- Statistical officers and related research support occupations
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Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03