Explore careers
verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$123,550/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$59.40/hr
▼ 23% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
3,550
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$140,778 #21 of 51

Lawyer pay in Iowa, explained

Lawyers in Iowa earn a median of $123,550 per year ($59.40 per hour), which is 23% below the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $63,790, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $268,460. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $123,550 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $123,550 is worth about $140,778 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #21 for real pay (vs #34 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$63,790
$30.67/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$123,550
$59.40/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$268,460
$129.07/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $123,550 $140,778 —
Illinois $160,800 $160,868 −$37,250
Minnesota $155,140 $157,309 −$31,590
Missouri $133,450 $146,944 −$9,900
Wisconsin $126,760 $134,715 −$3,210
Nebraska $109,170 $121,161 +$14,380
South Dakota $102,040 $115,188 +$21,510

Lawyer in Iowa: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in Iowa?

Lawyers in Iowa earn a median of $123,550 per year ($59.40 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does Iowa pay lawyers well?

At $123,550, Iowa pays 23% below the national median for lawyers. An estimated 3,550 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

New York · $207,860 District of Columbia · $195,190 California · $195,080 Massachusetts · $176,680 Delaware · $173,510 Colorado · $168,520 Virginia · $167,210 Connecticut · $163,600 New Jersey · $161,430 Illinois · $160,800 Pennsylvania · $157,180 Minnesota · $155,140

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Iowa

Paralegal $54,550/yr median Financial Analyst $92,370/yr median Accountant $77,440/yr median