Lawyer salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Lawyers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $126,570 a year ($60.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $360,480 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $123,550. There are 1.9 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $155,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| 25th percentile | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Median | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| 75th percentile | $204,230 | $98.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $360,480 | $173.31 |
| Average (mean) | $155,780 | $74.89 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,547.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,273.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,868.08 |
| Weekly | $2,434.04 |
| Hourly | $60.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $137,570 | 330 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $134,560 | 1,760 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $131,730 | 2,010 |
| Iowa City, IA | $127,210 | 140 |
| Ames, IA | $125,200 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,850 | 420 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $120,790 | 150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $109,270 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $45,450 | $21.85 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $126,570 a year, or $60.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $360,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $360,480 a year. The top 25% earn $204,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,800 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $80,260 or less.
How many lawyers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 160 lawyers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.