Lawyer Salary in Seattle, WA
Lawyers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $164,980 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $124,030 take-home, or $10,336 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$28,329
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,229
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,392
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$124,030
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Lawyer pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,910 | $48.03 | $79,117 | $6,593 |
| 25th percentile | $127,870 | $61.48 | $98,665 | $8,222 |
| Median (50th) | $164,980 | $79.32 | $124,030 | $10,336 |
| 75th percentile | $215,590 | $103.65 | $160,409 | $13,367 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $314,120+ | $151.02 | $224,023 | $18,669 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $164,980 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $124,030 take-home pay has the buying power of $111,605 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.91).
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #17 of 47 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 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $212,500 | $139,838 | $120,953 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $157,980 | $119,245 | $120,903 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $170,660 | $122,673 | $119,618 |
| 17 | Seattle, WA | $164,980 | $124,030 | $111,605 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 47 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Seattle, WA?
The median lawyer salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $164,980 a year, or about $79.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $127,870 and $215,590.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $164,980 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $124,030 a year ($10,336 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $111,605 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #17 of 47 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 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 Seattle, WA
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $92,900