Lawyer Salary in Urbandale, IA: $125,930 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Urbandale, IA earns a median $125,930/year (≈ $60.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $139,303 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Urbandale, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $125,930, considerably lower than the national median of $167,174. The local salary range spans from $73,040 at the lower end (P10) to $195,191 at the upper end (P90). These figures, sourced from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflect regional price adjustments and market trends. Given the prevailing billable hour expectations in the industry, many firms in the area may require attorneys to achieve between 1,800 to 2,400 billable hours annually to meet performance benchmarks. As a result, understanding the dynamics of billable hours will play a significant role in shaping compensation outcomes for legal professionals in Urbandale.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,669 | $43.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,930 | $60.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,191 | $77.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,191 | $93.84 |
Median Salary Position
24.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,151 (2026 est.). At $125,930, the local median is 24.67% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Lawyer Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $125,930/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $131,864 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -24.67% less |
Lawyers in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $125,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.67% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $131,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $125,930 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,303 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
$92,624
2025 BLS Actual
$120,277
2026 Current Est.
$125,930
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,614 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,413 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,251 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,799 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,277 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,930 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,849 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $92,624 (2019) to $120,277 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,849 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,225 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $73,040 – $90,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,669 – $125,930 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,930 – $161,191 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,191 – $195,191 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Urbandale
Examining the local job market reveals a relatively small legal community, with only 12 lawyers employed in Urbandale. This limited number presents both challenges and opportunities. The cost of living in the area, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 90.4, suggests that lawyers can maintain a relatively comfortable lifestyle. Employers that typically provide the highest salaries include regional firms and in-house positions, though BigLaw firms often offer the most competitive compensation. However, these roles come with demanding hours and workload expectations. Discrepancies in pay rates are influenced by factors such as firm size, market location, partnership equity opportunities, and whether the position is in the public or private sector. For those seeking to maximize their lawyer pay in Urbandale, networking, specializing in lucrative practice areas, and considering a pivot towards corporate in-house roles may be effective strategies.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Urbandale, IA in 2026?
Is Urbandale, IA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Can lawyers make $100K in Urbandale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted lawyer salary in Urbandale?
How much does a lawyer make per hour in Urbandale?
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 $120,277 for lawyersin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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