Attorney / Lawyer.
Des Moines.
$120,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$80,000 to $172,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Attorney / Lawyer offer in Des Moines, IA, here is the reality: $80,000 to $172,000, with $120,000 as the midpoint. 13% below the national average. Practice area is the dominant driver, with BigLaw associates earning two to three times what government or public interest attorneys make. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $108,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$78,000
to $96,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$102,000
to $126,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$132,000
to $156,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$150,000
to $186,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $28,000 to the total package.
Base
$120,000
Equity
$16,000
Bonus
$10,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $148,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$120,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$138,000
Des Moines is $18,000 below
Attorney / Lawyer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Here is what the Attorney / Lawyer market actually looks like in Des Moines. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The metro's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Tech employment is growing as insurtech companies expand. Practice area is the dominant driver, with BigLaw associates earning two to three times what government or public interest attorneys make. Geographic market, firm size, and specialization in high-demand areas like M&A or securities litigation push compensation significantly higher.
Junior associates start at $92,000 to $125,000 at midsize firms. Senior associates reach $150,000 to $200,000 after five to seven years. Partners and general counsel typically earn $220,000 to $400,000 or more depending on origination credit and firm profitability. In Des Moines, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. BigLaw firms offer annual bonuses of $20,000 to $115,000 tied to billable hours. In-house roles add equity grants, profit-sharing, and comprehensive benefits including sabbaticals and bar dues coverage. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low tax rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $120,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers must compete with remote offers from larger metros and will often match. The range for Attorney / Lawyers in Des Moines runs from $80,000 to $172,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Marketing Technologist in Des Moines earns $119,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Chief AI Officer at $277,000
Common questions.
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