Lawyer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Lawyers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $164,980 a year ($79.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $314,120 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 7% higher than the Washington statewide median of $154,130. There are 4.4 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $180,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| 25th percentile | $127,870 | $61.48 |
| Median | $164,980 | $79.32 |
| 75th percentile | $215,590 | $103.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $314,120 | $151.02 |
| Average (mean) | $180,920 | $86.98 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,748.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,874.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,345.38 |
| Weekly | $3,172.69 |
| Hourly | $79.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $164,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $155,330 | 5,170 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $141,540 | 220 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $136,990 | 40 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $135,590 | 230 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $132,900 | 630 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $132,270 | 80 |
| Yakima, WA | $131,660 | 230 |
| Bellingham, WA | $131,480 | 190 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $123,880 | 770 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $101,170 | 50 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $97,020 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $135,180 | $64.99 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $80,240 | $38.58 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $92,900 | $44.66 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $71,310 | $34.28 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $164,980 a year, or $79.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $314,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $314,120 a year. The top 25% earn $215,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,910 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $127,870 or less.
How many lawyers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 9,210 lawyers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.