Lawyer Salary

Bettendorf vs Davenport: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Bettendorf, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bettendorf, IA
$125,920
$60.54/hr
Davenport, IA
$130,718
$62.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBettendorf, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$125,920$130,718
Hourly Rate$60.54$62.84
Entry Level (P10)$73,033$76,054
25th Percentile$90,662$94,251
75th Percentile$161,177$186,994
Top Earner (P90)$195,175$315,639
Total Employed10420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bettendorf ($125,920) and Davenport ($130,718) lawyer salaries.BettendorfDavenportMedian Salary$125,920$130,718Entry Level (P10)$73,033$76,054Top Earner (P90)$195,175$315,639US Median $167,174

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bettendorf.

The salary gap between Bettendorf and Davenport is $4,798 (3.81%). Davenport's median is -21.81% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bettendorf spans $122,142,Davenport spans $239,585. Davenport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Bettendorf
P10 (Entry)$73,033
P25$90,662
Median$125,920
P75$161,177
P90 (Top)$195,175
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$76,054
P25$94,251
Median$130,718
P75$186,994
P90 (Top)$315,639

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($146,744 effective) pays 5.35% more than Bettendorf ($139,292 effective).

Bettendorf
Nominal: $125,920
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $139,292
Davenport
Nominal: $130,718
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $146,744

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bettendorf if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,718/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($315,639)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $146,744)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Bettendorf grew 16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.9% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Bettendorf, IA

+16.0%

$103,639 (2024) → $120,267 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+0.9%

$123,720 (2019) → $124,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Bettendorf or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median lawyer salary at $130,718/year, compared to Bettendorf at $125,920/year — a difference of $4,798 (3.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bettendorf and Davenport?

Bettendorf lawyers earn $60.54/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $62.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bettendorf to Davenport as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bettendorf and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bettendorf = $139,292, Davenport = $146,744), job availability (10 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Bettendorf vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $73,033 in Bettendorf and $76,054 in Davenport. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov