Lawyers in Iowa. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Iowa's median lawyer wage sat at $107,870 in 2024, about 28% below the national median of $149,496. That gap is large, but it tells only part of the story.
The spread within Iowa is wide. The bottom tenth of earners made $49,530, while the top tenth reached $216,600. Top earners here make roughly 4.4 times what those at the entry end do. That range points to real differences in practice setting, seniority, and specialty: a solo rural attorney handling estate work earns something very different from a senior partner at a Des Moines firm doing corporate transactions.
Iowa's cost of living sits at an index of 89.9 against a national baseline of 100. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the median wage translates to closer to $119,900 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the headline gap from 28% to roughly 20%. The gap is still real, but Iowa wages go further than the nominal number suggests.
BLS projects lawyer employment to grow 4.2% nationally between 2024 and 2034, an average rate of change relative to other occupations. Iowa's 3,550 lawyers work in a relatively small state market, so even modest growth in legal demand can move local hiring noticeably. There is no state-specific projection in the BLS data, so we are using the national figure here.
The mean annual wage of $124,130 runs well above the median of $107,870. A smaller group of high earners pulls the average up, which is worth keeping in mind when reading any single figure. The median is the better number for most readers sizing up a typical Iowa legal career.
Salary distribution
Where Iowa lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,860 and $179,610, with a median of $123,550.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Iowa
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Lawyers in Iowa, by industry
Median offered wage across 4 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $80,400.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | CAUSEY & YE LAW, P.L.L.C. | 3 | $80,400 |
| Healthcare | Balance TMS, Esketamine, and Psychiatry PLLC | 1 | $77,875 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Iowa over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Iowa?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Iowa is $123,550.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Iowa median is -22.5% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,790 and the 90th-percentile at $268,460, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.