Lawyer Salary

Puyallup vs Spokane: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Puyallup, WA
$132,923
$63.91/hr
Spokane, WA
$129,702
$62.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPuyallup, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$132,923$129,702
Hourly Rate$63.91$62.36
Entry Level (P10)$77,095$81,530
25th Percentile$95,704$99,381
75th Percentile$170,142$161,636
Top Earner (P90)$206,031$218,017
Total Employed10770
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Puyallup ($132,923) and Spokane ($129,702) lawyer salaries.PuyallupSpokaneMedian Salary$132,923$129,702Entry Level (P10)$77,095$81,530Top Earner (P90)$206,031$218,017US Median $167,174

Verdict

Puyallup and Spokane are closely matched on overall lawyer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Puyallup and Spokane is $3,221 (2.48%). Puyallup's median is -20.49% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Puyallup spans $128,936,Spokane spans $136,487. Spokane has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Puyallup
P10 (Entry)$77,095
P25$95,704
Median$132,923
P75$170,142
P90 (Top)$206,031
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$81,530
P25$99,381
Median$129,702
P75$161,636
P90 (Top)$218,017

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($129,255 effective) pays 4.44% more than Puyallup ($123,764 effective).

Puyallup
Nominal: $132,923
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $123,764
Spokane
Nominal: $129,702
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $129,255

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Puyallup if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,923/year)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($218,017)
  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,255)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Puyallup grew -21.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 57.2% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Puyallup, WA

+-21.9%

$162,488 (2024) → $126,956 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+57.2%

$78,820 (2019) → $123,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Puyallup or Spokane?

Puyallup has a higher median lawyer salary at $132,923/year, compared to Spokane at $129,702/year — a difference of $3,221 (2.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Puyallup and Spokane?

Puyallup lawyers earn $63.91/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $62.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Puyallup to Spokane as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Puyallup and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Puyallup = $123,764, Spokane = $129,255), job availability (10 vs 770 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Puyallup vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $77,095 in Puyallup and $81,530 in Spokane. The Spokane 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