Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $129,100 ($62.07/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $66,700/year and the 90th was $280,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $95,252 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$129,100$62.07 per hour · $10,758 monthly
10th Percentile$66,700$32.07/hr base
25th Percentile$85,500$41.11/hr base
75th Percentile$187,700$90.24/hr base
90th Percentile$280,500$134.86/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$129,100
$50,000$260,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$129,100
Net 74%
Fed 15%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$95,252After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,938Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,664Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate26.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$19,718 / yr
Iowa state income tax$4,254 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,876 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$32.07/hr$5,558$66,700$53,871
25th Percentile$41.11/hr$7,125$85,500$66,382
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$62.07/hr$10,758$129,100$95,252
75th Percentile$90.24/hr$15,642$187,700$133,277
90th Percentile$134.86/hr$23,375$280,500$192,953

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$129,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,890Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio150.3%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

What is the median salary for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $129,100, which equates to approximately $10,758 per month or $62.07 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $62.07 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $32.07/hour and one in ten earned more than $134.86/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $66,700 at the 10th percentile to $85,500 at the 25th, $187,700 at the 75th, and $280,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On a median gross salary of $129,100, an estimated $95,252 lands in net take-home pay per year ($3,664 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $33,848 (an effective rate of 26.2%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On the median annual salary of $129,100, gross monthly income is $10,758. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $7,938 per month (or $3,664 every two weeks).

Is $129,100 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

At $129,100, the median salary for lawyers is 150.3% of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median household income ($85,890). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.