Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$168,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$103,704 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$95,822 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $168,000 | $178,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,000 | $126,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $228,000 | $242,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $302,000 | $320,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,704 | $109,877▲ | -$6,173 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $155,232 | $156,248▲ | -$1,016 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,822 | $96,449▲ | -$627 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 8,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $168,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($103,704 vs $109,877 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.