How much does a Lawyer make in Iowa?

BLS puts the average Lawyer pay in Iowa at $144,760 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Iowa, after federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $105,360 annually ($8,780/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Lawyer in Iowa?

On a $144,760 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $105,360/year or $8,780/month. Federal tax: $23,476. State tax: $4,849. FICA: $11,074.

Is $144,760 a good Lawyer salary?

$144,760 is the BLS average Lawyer pay in Iowa, 22% below the US average of $185,840 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Iowa earn between $81,860 and $179,610.

How do Iowa taxes affect Lawyer salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $144,760 is $4,849. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 27.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Lawyers?

In Iowa, the top 10% earn over $268,460 and the bottom 10% under $63,790 (BLS, May 2025). 8% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: Attorney, Corporate Counsel, Public Defender, Paralegal.

How can a Lawyer in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Legal

Lawyer Salary in Iowa (2026)

Average Lawyer pay in Iowa

$144,760/year

≈ $70/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $81,860–$179,610

US average: $185,840

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$105,360/year

$8,780/month · effective tax rate 27.22%

Federal $23,476
State $4,849
FICA $11,074
Take-home

Pay by role in Iowa

Partner (Nyemaster / Faegre Drinker Des Moines)$385,000–$985,000+ profit share
Partner (Belin / Brown Winick / Davis Brown)$285,000–$685,000+ profit share
Counsel / Senior Associate (Big Law / AmLaw)$185,000–$385,000+ bonus
Senior In-House Counsel (Principal / John Deere)$185,000–$365,000+ TC
Senior In-House Counsel (Hy-Vee / Casey / Vermeer)$165,000–$295,000+ TC
Senior IA Agriculture Lawyer$175,000–$345,000+ bonus

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$105,360
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$8,780
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$4,052
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$51/hr
Federal Tax	$23,476
State Tax	$4,849
FICA Taxes	$11,074
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	27.22%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Lawyers earn the same — not even close

Iowa's legal market is anchored by Nyemaster Goode SLC Des Moines (largest IA-HQ law firm ~110+ attorneys + founded 1921 + the substantial Nyemaster Goode litigation + corporate + agricultural law), Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath (Indianapolis-HQ AmLaw 200 + the substantial Faegre Des Moines + Cedar Rapids offices), Belin McCormick Des Moines + Brown Winick Des Moines + Davis Brown Des Moines + Whitfield & Eddy Des Moines (substantial IA mid-size practices), Shuttleworth & Ingersoll Cedar Rapids + Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman Cedar Rapids + Bradley & Riley Cedar Rapids (substantial Eastern IA), the substantial IA agriculture law specialty (Hertz Farm Management + the substantial IA farmer estate planning + the substantial post-2025 IA inheritance tax repeal estate planning impact + the substantial IA family farm transfer), University of Iowa College of Law + Drake University Law School, plus IRS Des Moines + IA Attorney General + IPERS Iowa Public Employees Retirement System.

Partner (Nyemaster / Faegre Drinker Des Moines)

$385,000–$985,000+ profit share

IA-HQ + Faegre Des Moines partner · largest IA practices + AmLaw 200

Partner (Belin / Brown Winick / Davis Brown)

$285,000–$685,000+ profit share

IA mid-size law firm partner · Des Moines commercial + litigation

Counsel / Senior Associate (Big Law / AmLaw)

$185,000–$385,000+ bonus

Counsel + senior associate at AmLaw + IA top firms · 7-10 year band

Senior In-House Counsel (Principal / John Deere)

$185,000–$365,000+ TC

Principal Financial + John Deere + Pioneer + Athene + UnityPoint in-house GC

Senior In-House Counsel (Hy-Vee / Casey / Vermeer)

$165,000–$295,000+ TC

Hy-Vee + Casey + Vermeer + Pella + HNI + Winnebago · private corp in-house

Senior IA Agriculture Lawyer

$175,000–$345,000+ bonus

IA farm estate planning + family farm transfer + post-2025 inheritance tax repeal

AUSA / DOJ Federal Prosecutor

$135,000–$215,000

US Attorney Southern + Northern District of IA · GS-14/15 federal

Senior Public Defender / DA

$85,000–$135,000

IA County prosecutor + Public Defender · Polk + Linn + Scott + Black Hawk County

Mid-Level Associate (3-6 yrs)

$108,000–$165,000+ bonus

Mid-level at IA firms · transitioning to senior band

Junior Associate (0-3 yrs)

$82,000–$125,000+ bonus

UI Law + Drake Law + post-clerkship pipeline · entry IA band

Worth knowing: Iowa agriculture law specialty + post-2025 IA inheritance tax repeal estate planning impact is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state ag-law + farm estate planning anchor and a feature most national legal surveys understate for IA. The substantial Iowa agriculture law specialty (the substantial IA family farm transfer + the substantial Hertz Farm Management + the substantial IA farmer estate planning + the substantial IA #1 US corn + #1 US soybean + #1 US ethanol + #1 US pork producer farm legal work + the substantial post-2025 IA inheritance tax repeal effective January 1 2025 ending the IA inheritance tax phased reduction with estate planning impact for IA family farm + business succession + the substantial IA agriculture corporate + farm partnership + the substantial IA Farm Bureau + Iowa Farmers Union + the substantial IA agricultural cooperative law) supports distinctive IA ag-law practice. Senior IA ag lawyers clear $175-345K+ bonus. Nyemaster Goode SLC Des Moines (largest IA-HQ law firm ~110+ attorneys + founded 1921 + the substantial Nyemaster Goode litigation + corporate + tax + estate + ag law + the substantial Nyemaster Goode Cedar Rapids + Ames + Iowa City + Sioux City multi-office) supports substantial IA legal. Senior Nyemaster + Faegre Des Moines partners clear $385K-$985K+ profit share. Faegre Drinker + Belin McCormick + Brown Winick + Davis Brown + Whitfield & Eddy + Shuttleworth & Ingersoll Cedar Rapids + Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman + UI Law + Drake Law supply IA legal. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 + IA property tax ~1.50% anchor the IA legal proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Lawyers in Iowa and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Iowa 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers