Lawyer Salary in Tualatin, OR: $126,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Tualatin, OR earns a median $126,691/year (≈ $60.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Tualatin's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $123,481 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a lawyer salary in Tualatin, Oregon, can expect a median annual compensation of $126,691. This figure illustrates a notable decrease compared to the national median of $167,174, reflecting a robust public sector versus private practice divide, where job seekers must weigh the benefits of potential Public Service Loan Forgiveness against lower salaries. The salary range for lawyers in Tualatin starts at $73,481, reaching up to $196,371 at the higher end. These estimates are grounded in 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, and reveal the local economic context as more lawyers consider both lifestyle choices and financial stability in their career decisions.
About the Tualatin Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,481 | $35.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,218 | $43.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,691 | $60.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,165 | $77.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,371 | $94.41 |
Median Salary Position
24.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tualatin
In Tualatin, OR, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,890 (2026 est.). At $126,691, the local median is 24.22% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tualatin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tualatin Lawyer Pay Compares
Tualatin median: $126,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tualatin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $131,833 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -24.22% less |
Lawyers in Tualatin, OR earn a median of $126,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.22% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $131,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tualatin has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tualatin, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,691 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,481 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,184
2025 BLS Actual
$121,004
2026 Current Est.
$126,691
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Tualatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,184 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,996 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,869 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,027 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,004 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,646 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tualatin metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $93,184 (2019) to $121,004 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,646 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,462 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tualatin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,481 – $91,218 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,218 – $126,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,691 – $162,165 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,165 – $196,371 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Tualatin
With only five attorneys currently employed in Tualatin, the legal job market is quite localized. The cost of living index sitting at 102.6 indicates that while it is slightly above the national average, it complicates the take-home purchasing power for legal professionals. Among various types of employers, in-house corporate legal departments tend to offer the most competitive pay, while public sector roles, such as those in government legal offices or public defender services, typically provide lower compensation, albeit with possible student loan repayment advantages. Factors that contribute to the salary variations include firm size (with BigLaw firms generally offering higher salaries but demanding more billable hours), market location, and whether attorneys pursue partnerships. For those in Tualatin looking to maximize their lawyer pay, aligning with mid-tier or boutique firms could strike a balance between decent compensation and a manageable work-life dynamic.
More salary data for Tualatin, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $121,004 for lawyersin the Tualatin metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tualatin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov