Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$152,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$142,056 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$124,763 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $152,000 | $168,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,000 | $118,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $206,000 | $228,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $273,000 | $302,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $142,056▲ | $103,704 | +$38,352 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,496 | $155,232▲ | -$21,736 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $124,763▲ | $95,822 | +$28,941 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 5,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $16,000 more (median: $152,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($142,056 vs $103,704 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Lawyer City Comparisons
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.