Lawyer Hourly Pay in Clinton, IA: $59.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Clinton, IA runs $59.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,680 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Clinton's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,205 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clinton, Iowa, the lawyer hourly rate is projected to be $59.46 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $80.37. This discrepancy highlights the economic dynamics at play, especially for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a lawyer working just three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn a reasonable living, considering the typical environments they may find themselves in—from bustling law firm offices to courtrooms or even remote environments for contract work. The hourly pay range in Clinton is broad, starting at $34.49 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $92.17 for the top 10 percent of earners. These figures underscore the potential for both high and modest income based on firm size, specialty, and experience level.
About the Clinton 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) | $34.49 | $275.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.81 | $342.49 |
| Median (P50) | $59.46 | $475.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.11 | $608.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.17 | $737.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clinton
Based on $59.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.46/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clinton, IA can expect to earn approximately $123,675 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,351. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clinton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clinton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,378.37 | $10,306 | $123,675 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,427.02 | $6,184 | $74,205 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $951.35 | $4,122 | $49,470 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Clinton) | $59.46 |
| 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 Clinton, IA earn a median of $123,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.02% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 6.20% below the Iowa state average of $131,855.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.46/hr = $74,205/year (purchasing power: $82,085).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,675/year (purchasing power: $136,809).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Clinton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Clinton grew 29.9% from $43.73/hr (2019) to $56.79/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.25/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 Clinton 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 Clinton
The potential earnings for part-time lawyers in Clinton offer a different narrative when considering full-time commitments versus a flexible, per-diem work arrangement. A lawyer working a 3-day week may net close to $72,000 annually, drastically differing from what full-time lawyers can achieve. The per diem opportunities can vary greatly; some work as contract attorneys or in document review positions, earning around $25 to $50 per hour, while established attorneys acting as counsel might command between $200 and $500 per hour. Employers such as BigLaw firms pay significantly more compared to in-house legal departments or public defenders, due to the high-stakes nature of their work and billable hour requirements. Lawyers opting for lower pay may do so for job stability and benefits, a trade-off that many consider when weighing their career options. Those in Clinton can consider negotiating their contracts, focusing on workload expectations, and the possibility of remote work, which could provide added flexibility and improve work-life balance while impacting overall earnings.
More salary data for Clinton, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Clinton. 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 Clinton 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