Lawyer Salary

Cedar Rapids vs Coralville: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Cedar Rapids, IA and Coralville, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cedar Rapids, IA
$144,036
$69.25/hr
Coralville, IA
$125,366
$60.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Rapids, IACoralville, IA
Median Salary$144,036$125,366
Hourly Rate$69.25$60.28
Entry Level (P10)$78,640$72,712
25th Percentile$99,256$90,263
75th Percentile$207,076$160,468
Top Earner (P90)$287,370$194,317
Total Employed3306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Rapids ($144,036) and Coralville ($125,366) lawyer salaries.Cedar RapidsCoralvilleMedian Salary$144,036$125,366Entry Level (P10)$78,640$72,712Top Earner (P90)$287,370$194,317US Median $167,174

Verdict

Cedar Rapids, IA offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Coralville.

The salary gap between Cedar Rapids and Coralville is $18,670 (14.89%). Cedar Rapids's median is -13.84% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cedar Rapids spans $208,730,Coralville spans $121,605. Cedar Rapids has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cedar Rapids
P10 (Entry)$78,640
P25$99,256
Median$144,036
P75$207,076
P90 (Top)$287,370
Coralville
P10 (Entry)$72,712
P25$90,263
Median$125,366
P75$160,468
P90 (Top)$194,317

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cedar Rapids ($161,906 effective) pays 16.75% more than Coralville ($138,679 effective).

Cedar Rapids
Nominal: $144,036
CoL Index: 88.963
Adjusted: $161,906
Coralville
Nominal: $125,366
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $138,679

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cedar Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,036/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($287,370)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,906)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Coralville if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Cedar Rapids grew 32.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.0% growth in Coralville over the same period.

Cedar Rapids, IA

+32.4%

$103,930 (2019) → $137,570 (2025)

Coralville, IA

+16.0%

$103,183 (2024) → $119,738 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Cedar Rapids or Coralville?

Cedar Rapids has a higher median lawyer salary at $144,036/year, compared to Coralville at $125,366/year — a difference of $18,670 (14.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Rapids and Coralville?

Cedar Rapids lawyers earn $69.25/hr while Coralville hygienists earn $60.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cedar Rapids to Coralville as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Rapids and Coralville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Rapids = $161,906, Coralville = $138,679), job availability (330 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Cedar Rapids vs Coralville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $78,640 in Cedar Rapids and $72,712 in Coralville. The Cedar Rapids 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