Lawyers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $118,750 -21.4% vs national
Median hourly $57.09
10th percentile $49,990
90th percentile $225,640
Employed locally 1,730
National median $151,160

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Lawyers
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,990
    25th
    $81,390
    50th (median)
    $118,750
    75th
    $174,630
    90th
    $225,640

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Lawyers salary vs area income 141% Median Lawyers salary is 41% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Lawyers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $301,320
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $215,090
    Midland, MI $209,430
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $205,900
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $203,450
    California $197,790

    Nearby metros — Lawyers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $197,790
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $191,880
    District of Columbia $191,880
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $180,940
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $170,380
    Virginia $157,980

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants $60,790
    Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates $147,510
    Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers $117,200
    Judicial Law Clerks $58,650
    Legal Support Workers, All Other $44,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Lawyers make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Lawyers in Des Moines, IA is $57.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $140.40 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Lawyers salaries?

    The median Lawyers salary in Des Moines, IA is 21.4% below the national median of $151,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Lawyers in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Lawyers (10th percentile) earn around $49,990 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,390.