Lawyer Salary in Marion, IA: $129,602 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Marion, IA earns a median $129,602/year (≈ $62.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $143,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For lawyers in Marion, Iowa, projected earnings in 2026 are reflected through a median annual salary of $129,602, revealing a significant disparity compared to the national average of $167,174. The local salary range spans from a lower threshold of $75,169 to a top figure of $200,883. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, indicate a diversified legal field. The divide between public sector opportunities and private practice roles often influences salary decisions for attorneys in Marion, with public service careers providing the potential for loan forgiveness under programs like PSLF, while private practice may offer more lucrative salaries at the cost of potential burnout and demanding hours.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,169 | $36.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,313 | $44.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,602 | $62.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,891 | $79.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,883 | $96.58 |
Median Salary Position
22.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,714 (2026 est.). At $129,602, the local median is 22.47% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Lawyer Pay Compares
Marion median: $129,602/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,843 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -22.47% less |
Lawyers in Marion, IA earn a median of $129,602 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.47% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $131,843.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $129,602 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,365 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,325
2025 BLS Actual
$123,784
2026 Current Est.
$129,602
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,325 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,232 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,602 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $95,325 (2019) to $123,784 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,368 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $75,169 – $93,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,313 – $129,602 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,602 – $165,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,891 – $200,883 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Marion
In Marion, the legal job market employs only six lawyers, suggesting a niche environment where opportunities may be limited. The local cost of living index, sitting at 90.4, highlights that attorneys can expect their take-home pay to stretch farther than in higher-cost areas. Most competitive salaries in the region are likely found in mid-size law firms or corporate legal departments, as larger firms like Cravath or Skadden seldom establish branches in smaller markets like Marion. The pay differential largely arises from factors such as firm tier, market competition, and typical billable hours, which commonly range from 1,800 to 2,400 annually at firms. Lawyers looking to maximize their earnings should consider private practice with a focus on regional firms where they can balance a reasonable workload with competitive pay, rather than pursuing public-facing legal roles where pay scales lag behind private sector benchmarks.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $123,784 for lawyersin the Marion 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 Marion 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