Lawyer Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $135,344 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $135,344/year (≈ $65.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $149,717 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, IA, the estimated median annual lawyer salary is projected to be $135,344 in 2026. This figure represents a notable divergence from the national median of $167,174, placing Cedar Falls lawyers nearly 19.04% below the national average. Local salaries range from $78,499 at the 10th percentile to as high as $209,782 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience, specialization, and firm type within the area. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, which are currently rated at a cost of living index of 90.4—indicating a more affordable environment compared to national standards. As the legal profession continues to evolve, understanding local compensation dynamics is essential for lawyers seeking to establish their careers in Cedar Falls.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,499 | $37.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,447 | $46.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,344 | $65.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,240 | $83.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,782 | $100.86 |
Median Salary Position
19.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,283 (2026 est.). At $135,344, the local median is 19.04% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Lawyer Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $135,344/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,785 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -19.04% less |
Lawyers in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $135,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.04% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.70% above the Iowa state average of $131,785.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $135,344 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,717 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,548
2025 BLS Actual
$129,268
2026 Current Est.
$135,344
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,548 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,894 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,007 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,344 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,705 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $99,548 (2019) to $129,268 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,705 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,157 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $78,499 – $97,447 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,447 – $135,344 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,344 – $173,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,240 – $209,782 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Cedar Falls
The attorney job market in Cedar Falls features a small pool of eight employed lawyers, which may contribute to both competitive compensation and unique job opportunities. Given the cost of living index of 90.4, lawyers in Cedar Falls may find their take-home purchasing power enhanced compared to larger metropolitan areas, despite lower salary potential. In this legal market, higher salaries tend to be found in mid-size firms or in-house corporate departments rather than at BigLaw firms, which are often characterized by extensive billable hour requirements and a focus on larger client bases. The spread between lower and higher pay in Cedar Falls is driven by firm size, the demand for specialization, and the nature of clientele, with public sector positions generally offering lower salaries but often providing benefits like student loan forgiveness. To maximize earnings in Cedar Falls, lawyers should focus on building networks, considering specialized practice areas, and exploring alternative paths like in-house legal roles that may offer a better work-life balance in addition to adequate financial remuneration.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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 $129,268 for lawyersin the Cedar Falls 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
Salary data for Cedar Falls 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