Lawyer Salary

Kenmore vs Seattle: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Kenmore, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kenmore, WA
$130,325
$62.65/hr
Seattle, WA
$172,734
$83.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKenmore, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$130,325$172,734
Hourly Rate$62.65$83.05
Entry Level (P10)$75,589$104,606
25th Percentile$93,834$133,880
75th Percentile$166,816$225,723
Top Earner (P90)$202,004$328,884
Total Employed69,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kenmore ($130,325) and Seattle ($172,734) lawyer salaries.KenmoreSeattleMedian Salary$130,325$172,734Entry Level (P10)$75,589$104,606Top Earner (P90)$202,004$328,884US Median $167,174

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenmore.

The salary gap between Kenmore and Seattle is $42,409 (32.54%). Seattle's median is +3.33% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kenmore spans $126,415,Seattle spans $224,278. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Kenmore
P10 (Entry)$75,589
P25$93,834
Median$130,325
P75$166,816
P90 (Top)$202,004
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$104,606
P25$133,880
Median$172,734
P75$225,723
P90 (Top)$328,884

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($155,430 effective) pays 28.09% more than Kenmore ($121,345 effective).

Kenmore
Nominal: $130,325
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $121,345
Seattle
Nominal: $172,734
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $155,430

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kenmore if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($172,734/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($328,884)
  • Larger job market (9,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,430)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Kenmore grew -21.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.3% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kenmore, WA

+-21.9%

$159,313 (2024) → $124,475 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+38.3%

$119,260 (2019) → $164,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Kenmore or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median lawyer salary at $172,734/year, compared to Kenmore at $130,325/year — a difference of $42,409 (32.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kenmore and Seattle?

Kenmore lawyers earn $62.65/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $83.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kenmore to Seattle as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kenmore and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kenmore = $121,345, Seattle = $155,430), job availability (6 vs 9,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Kenmore vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $75,589 in Kenmore and $104,606 in Seattle. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov