Lawyer Salary in Davenport, IA: $130,718 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Davenport, IA earns a median $130,718/year (≈ $62.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $146,744 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Davenport, Iowa, the legal profession offers a competitive salary landscape, with a median annual compensation of $130,718 projected for 2026. The salary range reflects a diverse market, where entry-level lawyers can expect to earn around $76,054, while the top earners could make up to $315,639. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment statistics, illustrate significant variation based on experience and work setting. The public sector may provide more stability and access to loan forgiveness programs, while private practice can yield higher pay, particularly at larger firms. Overall, the job market in Davenport remains robust, reflecting a steady demand for legal services amid the ongoing evolution of the legal landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,054 | $36.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,251 | $45.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,718 | $62.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,994 | $89.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $315,639 | $151.75 |
Median Salary Position
21.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $239,585 (2026 est.). At $130,718, the local median is 21.81% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Davenport Lawyer Pay Compares
Davenport median: $130,718/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,772 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -21.81% less |
Lawyers in Davenport, IA earn a median of $130,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.81% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.80% below the Iowa state average of $131,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $130,718 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,744 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,720
2025 BLS Actual
$124,850
2026 Current Est.
$130,718
2019–2027 Growth
+10.6%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,718 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 0.9% from $123,720 (2019) to $124,850 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,142 (10.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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) | $76,054 – $94,251 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,251 – $130,718 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,718 – $186,994 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,994 – $315,639 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Davenport
With 420 lawyers currently employed in the area, Davenport's legal market displays a balance of opportunity and challenges. The cost of living index sits at 89.079, indicating that the purchasing power for legal professionals is slightly elevated compared to national averages. Larger firms and in-house corporate legal departments typically offer some of the highest salaries, attributable to their ability to pay more competitively, although they may maintain higher billable hour expectations. Smaller regional law firms and public interest entities have different pay structures, often leaning towards lower compensation but incorporating significant lifestyle benefits. Much like the national trend, lawyers in Davenport should consider strategic moves, such as networking within local firms and seeking partnership tracks to maximize their earning potential, particularly in the diverse practice areas that the city offers.
More salary data for Davenport, 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 $124,850 for lawyersin the Davenport 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