Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Dallas, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$148,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$132,143 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$122,100 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000 | $168,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,000 | $118,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $201,000 | $228,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $265,000 | $302,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $132,143▲ | $103,704 | +$28,439 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $136,752 | $155,232▲ | -$18,480 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $122,100▲ | $95,822 | +$26,278 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 5,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $20,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($132,143 vs $103,704 equivalent). Dallas, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.