Lawyer Salary in Ames, IA: $131,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Ames, IA earns a median $131,084/year (≈ $63.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $147,567 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Ames, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $131,084, which positions them significantly below the national median of $167,174. The local salary range is quite wide, with figures starting at $73,280 (P10) and reaching up to $226,916 (P90). This data, derived from surveys by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and projected to 2026, reflects the structural divide in legal pay across different firm types. BigLaw firms often dominate the high-end salary bracket, while smaller and mid-market firms typically offer more modest compensation. As such, understanding the tier of the law firm—whether it's a large corporate firm, regional practice, or a boutique establishment—plays a pivotal role in salary expectations for legal professionals in Ames.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,838 | $43.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,084 | $63.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,458 | $75.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,916 | $109.10 |
Median Salary Position
21.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,636 (2026 est.). At $131,084, the local median is 21.59% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Lawyer Pay Compares
Ames median: $131,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,743 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -21.59% less |
Lawyers in Ames, IA earn a median of $131,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.59% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $131,743.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $131,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,567 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,410
2025 BLS Actual
$125,200
2026 Current Est.
$131,084
2019–2027 Growth
+72.8%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,245 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 57.7% from $79,410 (2019) to $125,200 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,835 (72.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,280 – $90,838 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,838 – $131,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,084 – $157,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,458 – $226,916 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Ames
With around 90 lawyers currently employing their skills in the Ames area, the local job market remains relatively stable. The cost of living index in Ames stands at 88.83, suggesting a lower-than-average living expense compared to national standards, which enhances the local purchasing power for lawyers. Among the various legal employers, BigLaw firms pay the most, although the opportunities in mid-sized firms and government positions should not be overlooked. The disparities in lawyer pay in Ames arise from numerous factors such as reputation, billable hours, and the type of legal practice. Legal professionals aiming to maximize their earnings should focus on building networks within larger firms or seeking specialized in-house roles, as these avenues typically offer better remuneration. Understanding the nuances of the local market can provide valuable insight into negotiating salaries and benefits effectively.
More salary data for Ames, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $125,200 for lawyersin the Ames metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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