Lawyer Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $125,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $125,531/year (≈ $60.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $138,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in Marshalltown, Iowa, stands at $125,531, considerably below the national median of $167,174 for the same year. Salary ranges for legal professionals in the area vary significantly, from a lower bound of $72,808 to an upper tier of $194,573. These figures highlight the structural divide between different types of legal practice settings. Individuals in large corporate firms or prestigious positions tend to achieve higher compensation compared to those in smaller practices or public sector roles. The estimates provided here are based on 2025 BLS data and reflect regional cost variations, illustrating the competitive yet modest nature of the legal job market in Marshalltown.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,808 | $35.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,382 | $43.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,531 | $60.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,680 | $77.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,573 | $93.55 |
Median Salary Position
24.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,765 (2026 est.). At $125,531, the local median is 24.91% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marshalltown Lawyer Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $125,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,860 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -24.91% less |
Lawyers in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $125,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.91% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $131,860.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown 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.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $125,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,862 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,331
2025 BLS Actual
$119,896
2026 Current Est.
$125,531
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,108 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,927 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,319 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,896 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,431 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $92,331 (2019) to $119,896 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,431 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,100 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown 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) | $72,808 – $90,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,382 – $125,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,531 – $160,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,680 – $194,573 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Marshalltown
Locally, with only eight lawyers employed within the area, Marshalltown's legal job market is relatively small but stable. The cost of living index is at 90.4, suggesting that take-home pay allows for a reasonable standard of living despite the lower salary benchmarks compared to larger metropolitan regions. In terms of employer compensation, larger firms may offer higher starting salaries or bonuses, but opportunities in corporate legal departments or government positions often come with associated benefits like loan forgiveness programs. The salary spread is influenced by factors such as law firm tier, geographic location, and billable hour expectations, which can demand anywhere from 1,800 to 2,400 hours annually. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Marshalltown's legal scene, aligning with mid to large firms and seeking out strategic partnerships can pave the way for better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Marshalltown, 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 $119,896 for lawyersin the Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown 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