Lawyer salary in Iowa City, IA
Lawyers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $127,210 a year ($61.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $246,290 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $123,550. There are 1.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $142,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| 25th percentile | $99,370 | $47.78 |
| Median | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| 75th percentile | $178,820 | $85.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $246,290 | $118.41 |
| Average (mean) | $142,540 | $68.53 |
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 | $10,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,300.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,892.69 |
| Weekly | $2,446.35 |
| Hourly | $61.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $127,210 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $134,560 | 1,760 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $131,730 | 2,010 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $66,400 | $31.92 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $45,460 | $21.86 |
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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $127,210 a year, or $61.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $246,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $246,290 a year. The top 25% earn $178,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,210 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $99,370 or less.
How many lawyers work in Iowa City, IA?
About 140 lawyers are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.