Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$188,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$123,684 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$106,856 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $188,000▲ | $168,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $133,000▲ | $118,000 | +$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $256,000▲ | $228,000 | +$28,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000▲ | $302,000 | +$36,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $123,684▲ | $103,704 | +$19,980 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $162,421▲ | $155,232 | +$7,189 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,856▲ | $95,822 | +$11,034 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 5,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $20,000 more (median: $188,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($123,684 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.