Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$138,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$107,813 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,235 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $168,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000 | $118,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $228,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $248,000 | $302,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,813▲ | $103,704 | +$4,109 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,901 | $155,232▲ | -$33,331 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,235 | $95,822▲ | -$587 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 5,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($107,813 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.