Current voice and speech systems have high error rates and systems that can capture natural speech and multiple speakers are many, many years in the future. Meanwhile, court reporters write accurately at speeds in excess of 200 words per minute. Court reporting in the legal systems allows individuals to choose whether or not to be their own bosses.
Many court reporters work as independent contractors and others own their own agencies.
Income varies depending on the type of reporting jobs and the experience of the individual reporter. In court reporting, earning potential often is limited only by the amount of time a court reporter is willing to devote to his or her profession. Official court reporters earn a salary and a per-page fee for transcripts. Freelance court reporters are paid per job and receive a per-page fee for transcripts. In 1997, two National Court Reporters Foundation surveys helped to further distinguish the backgrounds and business practices of official court reporters and freelance court reporters.