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