Legal Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Lawyer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median lawyer salary in Des Moines, IA is $124,881 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$124,881
vs State Avg
+$4,072
vs National
$-10,859
Cost of Living
92%

Lawyer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level lawyer earns around $64,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $202,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,400
$-5,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$126,960
$-11,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$202,400
$-17,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $59,800
25th Percentile $78,200
Median (50th) $124,881
75th Percentile $171,120
90th Percentile $220,064

Lawyer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$128,953
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$119,451
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$116,736
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$114,022
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Lawyer in Des Moines

Education

Most lawyer positions require a doctoral degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal ResearchLitigationContract LawNegotiationWestlaw/LexisNexisOral Advocacy

Job Outlook

Nationally, lawyer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.