Certified court reporters are becoming harder and harder to find, Carbon County officials said.

On Thursday, the county salary board approved changing the rate of one certified court reporter to $29.73 per hour due to the person’s experience, but officials said a hire like this is not the norm anymore.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein urged young adults still in high school or just going into college to look into a career as a certified court reporter.

“This is certainly a great opportunity … it’s a well-paying job, it’s highly competitive wages,” he said, noting that Carbon County is not the only county experiencing a shortage in court reporters.

Judge Steven R. Serfass echoed Nothstein’s thoughts, saying, “It’s extremely difficult to find qualified individuals.”

Carbon County has been utilizing part-time court reporters from other counties over the last year, Serfass said, while other counties have been going to recording systems.

A recommendation on the new appointment will be made by President Judge Roger Nanovic in the coming weeks.

“We’re grateful,” Serfass said of the person who will be filling the position.

“They found someone with a tremendous amount of experience.”