Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $122,600 ($58.94/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $63,300/year and the 90th was $266,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $91,056 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$122,600$58.94 per hour · $10,217 monthly
10th Percentile$63,300$30.43/hr base
25th Percentile$81,200$39.04/hr base
75th Percentile$178,200$85.67/hr base
90th Percentile$266,300$128.03/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

$122,600
$45,000$250,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$122,600
Net 74%
Fed 15%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$91,056After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,588Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,502Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate25.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$18,158 / yr
Iowa state income tax$4,007 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,379 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$30.43/hr$5,275$63,300$51,288
25th Percentile$39.04/hr$6,767$81,200$63,520
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$58.94/hr$10,217$122,600$91,056
75th Percentile$85.67/hr$14,850$178,200$126,946
90th Percentile$128.03/hr$22,192$266,300$184,415

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$122,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$70,811Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.112.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio173.1%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

What is the median salary for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $122,600, which equates to approximately $10,217 per month or $58.94 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is $58.94 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $30.43/hour and one in ten earned more than $128.03/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA span from $63,300 at the 10th percentile to $81,200 at the 25th, $178,200 at the 75th, and $266,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On a median gross salary of $122,600, an estimated $91,056 lands in net take-home pay per year ($3,502 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $31,544 (an effective rate of 25.7%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

On the median annual salary of $122,600, gross monthly income is $10,217. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $7,588 per month (or $3,502 every two weeks).

Is $122,600 a good salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

At $122,600, the median salary for lawyers is 173.1% of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median household income ($70,811). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.1, making regional consumer goods and services 12.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.