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