Lawyer Salary

Davenport vs Marshalltown: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Davenport, IA
$130,718
$62.84/hr
Marshalltown, IA
$125,531
$60.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarshalltown, IA
Median Salary$130,718$125,531
Hourly Rate$62.84$60.35
Entry Level (P10)$76,054$72,808
25th Percentile$94,251$90,382
75th Percentile$186,994$160,680
Top Earner (P90)$315,639$194,573
Total Employed4208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($130,718) and Marshalltown ($125,531) lawyer salaries.DavenportMarshalltownMedian Salary$130,718$125,531Entry Level (P10)$76,054$72,808Top Earner (P90)$315,639$194,573US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davenport and Marshalltown is $5,187 (4.13%). 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 Davenport spans $239,585,Marshalltown spans $121,765. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$76,054
P25$94,251
Median$130,718
P75$186,994
P90 (Top)$315,639
Marshalltown
P10 (Entry)$72,808
P25$90,382
Median$125,531
P75$160,680
P90 (Top)$194,573

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($146,744 effective) pays 5.68% more than Marshalltown ($138,862 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $130,718
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $146,744
Marshalltown
Nominal: $125,531
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $138,862

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Marshalltown if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Davenport grew 0.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.0% growth in Marshalltown over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+0.9%

$123,720 (2019) → $124,850 (2025)

Marshalltown, IA

+16.0%

$103,319 (2024) → $119,896 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Davenport or Marshalltown?

Davenport has a higher median lawyer salary at $130,718/year, compared to Marshalltown at $125,531/year — a difference of $5,187 (4.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marshalltown?

Davenport lawyers earn $62.84/hr while Marshalltown hygienists earn $60.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marshalltown as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marshalltown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $146,744, Marshalltown = $138,862), job availability (420 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $76,054 in Davenport and $72,808 in Marshalltown. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

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