Lawyer Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $60.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Burlington, IA runs $60.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,555 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,930 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, IA, legal professionals earn a median hourly rate of $60.84, which is significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. For those working part-time, such as lawyers operating three days a week, this hourly pay translates into a stable income that supports a moderate lifestyle in a city where the cost of living index is below the national average. Given the range of hourly wages—from $35.29 at entry-level positions to $94.30 for top earners—a lawyer's income can vary widely depending on experience and the specific practice area. Furthermore, these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, indicating that hourly earnings reflect not only expertise but also the types of settings in which lawyers typically find themselves, whether in courtrooms, client meetings, or corporate legal departments.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.29 | $282.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.81 | $350.45 |
| Median (P50) | $60.84 | $486.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.88 | $623.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.30 | $754.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $60.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.84/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $126,550 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,009. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,433.65 | $10,546 | $126,550 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,460.19 | $6,327 | $75,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $973.46 | $4,218 | $50,620 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Burlington) | $60.84 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Burlington, IA earn a median of $126,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.30% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $131,828.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.84/hr = $75,930/year (purchasing power: $83,993).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,550/year (purchasing power: $139,989).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Burlington grew 29.9% from $44.75/hr (2019) to $58.11/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.70/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Burlington
Considering part-time work in Burlington against a full-time schedule reveals intriguing earning potential. A lawyer working 24 hours a week could realistically take home around $46,014 a year, whereas full-time roles generally command higher annual salaries in the region. For those seeking per-diem or contract employment, the situation is quite different; common pay for contract attorney or document review positions hovers around $25-$50 per hour at the low end, while more seasoned lawyers engaged in 1099 of-counsel work often bill upwards of $200 to $500 per hour. Different types of employers in Burlington influence hourly rates significantly: while large firms may adhere to national structural pay scales, smaller practices and public sector roles might offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Lawyers should also be strategic in their salary negotiations, weighing options between immediate financial gain and long-term benefits such as stability and health coverage offered by larger organizations.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov