Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$210,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$112,299 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$96,657 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000▲ | $168,000 | +$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $118,000 | +$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $285,000▲ | $228,000 | +$57,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $378,000▲ | $302,000 | +$76,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,299▲ | $103,704 | +$8,595 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $180,748▲ | $155,232 | +$25,516 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,657▲ | $95,822 | +$835 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 5,000 | +23,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $42,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($112,299 vs $103,704 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.