Lawyer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Lawyers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $134,560 a year ($64.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,020 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $123,550. There are 4.4 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $159,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,830 | $31.65 |
| 25th percentile | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| Median | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| 75th percentile | $213,150 | $102.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $292,020 | $140.40 |
| Average (mean) | $159,230 | $76.55 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,213.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,606.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,175.38 |
| Weekly | $2,587.69 |
| Hourly | $64.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $137,570 | 330 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $131,730 | 2,010 |
| Iowa City, IA | $127,210 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $126,570 | 160 |
| Ames, IA | $125,200 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,850 | 420 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $120,790 | 150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $109,270 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $147,510 | $70.92 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $127,480 | $61.29 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $44,470 | $21.38 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $134,560 a year, or $64.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $292,020 a year. The top 25% earn $213,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,830 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $95,820 or less.
How many lawyers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,760 lawyers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.