Lawyer Salary in Olympia, WA
Lawyers in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn a median $132,900 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $102,103 take-home, or $8,509 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$20,630
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,240
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,927
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$102,103
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Olympia, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,760 | $42.19 | $70,569 | $5,881 |
| 25th percentile | $110,290 | $53.02 | $86,419 | $7,202 |
| Median (50th) | $132,900 | $63.89 | $102,103 | $8,509 |
| 75th percentile | $156,970 | $75.47 | $118,555 | $9,880 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,300 | $81.88 | $127,666 | $10,639 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $132,900 buys in Olympia, WA
Prices in Olympia, WA are 3.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.17× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $102,103 take-home pay has the buying power of $98,489 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lawyer jobs are about as common in Olympia, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Olympia, WA ranks #83 of 149 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Peoria, IL | $161,150 | $113,580 | $124,497 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 6 | Chattanooga, TN | $147,640 | $112,178 | $122,647 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $163,380 | $122,936 | $121,702 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 83 | Olympia, WA | $132,900 | $102,103 | $98,489 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 149 metros →
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in Washington
- Seattle, WA — $164,980
- Spokane, WA — $123,880
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Olympia, WA?
The median lawyer salary in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area is $132,900 a year, or about $63.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $110,290 and $156,970.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Olympia, WA?
On the median $132,900 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $102,103 a year ($8,509 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Olympia, WA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 3.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $98,489 would in a typical U.S. city. Olympia, WA ranks #83 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Olympia, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Olympia, WA is $1,682 a month ($1,960 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Olympia, WA
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $71,140