Lawyer Salary in Coralville, IA: $125,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Coralville, IA earns a median $125,366/year (≈ $60.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $138,679 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

As lawyers in Coralville, IA, navigate the local job market, the projected median annual salary of $125,366 serves as a benchmark for compensation within the region. With a salary range from $72,712 at the 10th percentile to $194,317 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect a diverse landscape in lawyer pay Coralville IA. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS estimates adjusted for regional price disparities, indicates that Coralville's compensation for legal professionals lags about 25% behind the national median of $167,174. This discrepancy is significant, particularly for those aiming for positions in firms where billable hour expectations can significantly bolster hourly earnings.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,712 | $34.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,263 | $43.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,366 | $60.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,468 | $77.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,317 | $93.42 |
Median Salary Position
25.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,605 (2026 est.). At $125,366, the local median is 25.01% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Lawyer Pay Compares
Coralville median: $125,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,825 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -25.01% less |
Lawyers in Coralville, IA earn a median of $125,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.01% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $131,825.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville 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.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $125,366 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,679 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,209
2025 BLS Actual
$119,738
2026 Current Est.
$125,366
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,981 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,793 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,738 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,258 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $92,209 (2019) to $119,738 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,049 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $72,712 – $90,263 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,263 – $125,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,366 – $160,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,468 – $194,317 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Coralville
While only six lawyers currently practice in Coralville, the local legal market offers a blend of opportunities across various sectors. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, the purchasing power of lawyer salaries here is crucial for young legal professionals looking to make their mark. Employment at larger firms tends to yield higher salaries compared to mid-size or boutique firms, driven by factors such as firm tier and the competitive nature of the market. The difference in earnings can often be attributed to the intensity of billable hours and the structure of bonuses offered by private firms versus public service positions, which, while lower-paying, can provide valuable student loan forgiveness options. Aspiring lawyers should focus on establishing connections within the local community and seek internships or clerkships that align with robust legal practices, thereby maximizing their potential earnings in Coralville.
More salary data for Coralville, 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 $119,738 for lawyersin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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