Lawyer Hourly Pay in North Liberty, IA: $59.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in North Liberty, IA runs $59.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,295 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against North Liberty's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,571 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in North Liberty, IA, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $59.75, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $80.37. This rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time practitioners and part-time lawyers who may only work three days a week or engage in per-diem arrangements. For part-time lawyers, the ability to bill at this rate allows them to balance work-life priorities while still offering competitive legal services in various settings such as courtrooms and law offices. The expected hourly range spawns a diverse landscape where entry-level positions start at approximately $34.66, culminating in experienced attorneys commanding as much as $92.63 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, highlighting the potential for increased hourly earnings as one progresses through the ranks in the legal profession.
About the North Liberty 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) | $34.66 | $277.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.02 | $344.17 |
| Median (P50) | $59.75 | $478.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.49 | $611.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.63 | $741.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Liberty
Based on $59.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.75/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Liberty, IA can expect to earn approximately $124,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,703. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Liberty.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Liberty
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,390.09 | $10,357 | $124,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,434.05 | $6,214 | $74,571 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $956.04 | $4,143 | $49,714 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (North Liberty) | $59.75 |
| 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 North Liberty, IA earn a median of $124,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.65% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $131,808.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.75/hr = $74,571/year (purchasing power: $82,490).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,285/year (purchasing power: $137,483).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in North Liberty grew 29.9% from $43.95/hr (2019) to $57.07/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.56/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 North Liberty 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 North Liberty
For those contemplating part-time work, a lawyer working 24 hours a week could realistically earn around $74,880 annually, assuming consistent billable hours, yet the earning potential varies considerably across contract work and different employment settings. Engaging in per-diem positions or contract attorney roles often entails lower rates of between $25-$50 per hour, while established attorneys may charge upwards of $200-$500 per hour in 1099 arrangements. BigLaw firms typically pay higher rates, often reflecting the intense billable hour expectations that come with them, while smaller firms and public sector jobs might offer lower hourly rates but often include valuable benefits like health insurance or loan forgiveness programs for those in public interest roles. For lawyers considering their options in North Liberty, negotiating hourly rates with due diligence is essential; understanding the value of benefits versus higher pay rates provides clarity when making career decisions.
More salary data for North Liberty, 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 North Liberty. 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 North Liberty 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