Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$90,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$105,882 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$97,835 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $168,000▲ | -$78,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,000 | $118,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,000 | $228,000▲ | -$106,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,000 | $302,000▲ | -$140,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,882▲ | $103,704 | +$2,178 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,160 | $155,232▲ | -$72,072 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,835▲ | $95,822 | +$2,013 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 5,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $78,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($105,882 vs $103,704 equivalent). El Paso, 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.