verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in Washington

Median Annual in Washington
$154,130/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$74.10/hr
▼ 3% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Washington

groups Employed in WA
12,770
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$144,029 #19 of 51

Lawyer pay in Washington, explained

Lawyers in Washington earn a median of $154,130 per year ($74.10 per hour), which is 3% below the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $94,260, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $298,210. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Washington.

Is $154,130 good pay in Washington?

Adjusted for Washington's cost of living (which runs 107% of the U.S. average), that $154,130 is worth about $144,029 in national buying power — ranking Washington #19 for real pay (vs #14 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in Washington

Entry level (10th pct)
$94,260
$45.32/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$154,130
$74.10/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$298,210
$143.37/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs WA
Washington (here) $154,130 $144,029
Oregon $138,210 $133,716 +$15,920
Idaho $103,400 $108,279 +$50,730

Lawyer in Washington: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in Washington?

Lawyers in Washington earn a median of $154,130 per year ($74.10 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does Washington pay lawyers well?

At $154,130, Washington pays 3% below the national median for lawyers. An estimated 12,770 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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