Lawyer Salary in North Liberty, IA: $124,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in North Liberty, IA earns a median $124,295/year (≈ $59.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in North Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $137,494 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the media annual salary for lawyers in North Liberty, Iowa, is projected to reach $124,295, reflecting the ongoing contrast between public sector roles and private practice. With a salary range extending from $72,091 at the 10th percentile to $192,656 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a competitive market for legal professionals, albeit one with room for growth when compared to the national median of $167,174. This disparity highlights the importance of understanding how employment in the public sector, especially for roles that qualify for student loan forgiveness, might affect overall financial outcomes for those entering the field. As the legal industry evolves, aspiring lawyers should carefully consider the implications of their career choices within North Liberty's burgeoning job landscape.
About the North Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,091 | $34.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,492 | $43.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,295 | $59.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,097 | $76.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,656 | $92.63 |
Median Salary Position
25.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Liberty
In North Liberty, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,565 (2026 est.). At $124,295, the local median is 25.65% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Liberty Lawyer Pay Compares
North Liberty median: $124,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,808 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -25.65% less |
Lawyers in North Liberty, IA earn a median of $124,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.65% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $131,808.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Liberty 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.
North Liberty, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $124,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,494 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$91,421
2025 BLS Actual
$118,715
2026 Current Est.
$124,295
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,421 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,923 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,373 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,302 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Liberty metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $91,421 (2019) to $118,715 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,715 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Liberty 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) | $72,091 – $89,492 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,492 – $124,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,295 – $159,097 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,097 – $192,656 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in North Liberty
The legal job market in North Liberty features six lawyers currently employed, reflecting a modest yet steady demand for legal services. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 90.4, this context reveals that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost regions. Employers across various tiers influence lawyer pay, with government positions generally offering lower compensation but valuable benefits in terms of work-life balance and opportunities for loan forgiveness. Conversely, BigLaw firms, while less prevalent in North Liberty, provide significantly higher starting salaries but come with expectations of intense billable hours, typically between 1,800 and 2,400 annually. To maximize earning potential in the North Liberty market, aspiring lawyers should seek opportunities in in-house positions or reputable mid-sized firms, leveraging internships and networking to position themselves for future openings that align with their career goals.
More salary data for North Liberty, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in North Liberty, IA in 2026?
Is North Liberty, IA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Can lawyers make $100K in North Liberty?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted lawyer salary in North Liberty?
How much does a lawyer make per hour in North Liberty?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $118,715 for lawyersin the North Liberty 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 North Liberty 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