Lawyers, Des Moines
$134,560
BLS OEWS median annual wage in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Middle half of wages roughly $95,820 to $213,150.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US median
- −15.7%
- US median
- $159,670
- Metro RPP
- 91.7
- Middle half
- $95,820 to $213,150
- OEWS employment
- 1,760
- SOC
- 23-1011
Lawyers in Des Moines pay a median $134,560 (May 2025), 15.7% below the US median of $159,670. At local prices (RPP 91.7), that median buys about what $146,739 buys at US-average prices.
Purchasing power
$134,560 in Des Moines buys about what $146,739 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 91.7, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 84.7 vs all-items 91.7 (US = 100, 2024).
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Lawyers in nearby metros
| Metro | Median | Middle half | RPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $134,560 | $95,820 to $213,150 | 91.7 |
| Birmingham | $170,230 | $100,270 to $213,600 | 91.6 |
| San Francisco | $212,500 | $137,380 to $320,510 | 115.6 |
| Tulsa | $108,220 | $75,830 to $166,070 | 89.2 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.
FAQ
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Des Moines?
- According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $134,560.
- How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Lawyers?
- Local median pay is 15.7% below the national OEWS median of $159,670.
- How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
- BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $134,560 has about the same purchasing power as $146,739 at US-average prices.
- How current is this data?
- Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.