Lawyer Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $133,914 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Moses Lake, WA earns a median $133,914/year (≈ $64.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Moses Lake's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $124,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $133,914 in 2026, legal professionals in Moses Lake, WA, earn significantly less than the national median of $167,174. Salary ranges for lawyers here span from $77,671 in the 10th percentile to $207,568 in the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost considerations. For those practicing in this area, the job market is relatively small, yet competitive, which impacts billable hour expectations and the effective hourly compensation at firms. This legal landscape suggests that lawyers in Moses Lake could benefit from understanding both their earning potential and the particular dynamics of local firms.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($158,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,671 | $37.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,418 | $46.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,914 | $64.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,411 | $82.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,568 | $99.79 |
Median Salary Position
19.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, WA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,897 (2026 est.). At $133,914, the local median is 19.9% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moses Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moses Lake Lawyer Pay Compares
Moses Lake median: $133,914/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moses Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $138,771 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -19.90% less |
Lawyers in Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $133,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.90% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $138,771.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moses Lake has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moses Lake, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,914 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,687 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,497
2025 BLS Actual
$127,903
2026 Current Est.
$133,914
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,497 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,677 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,526 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,734 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,903 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,914 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,208 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moses Lake metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $98,497 (2019) to $127,903 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,711 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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) | $77,671 – $96,418 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,418 – $133,914 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,914 – $171,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,411 – $207,568 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Moses Lake
The local job market features only four lawyers currently employed in Moses Lake, presenting a unique environment for those pursuing a career in law. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing power for lawyers can be affected, making salary comparisons particularly relevant. Among practicing lawyers, compensation will vary based on the size and type of legal firm. Mid-size and regional firms may provide more competitive salaries than smaller boutique or solo practices, though partnership opportunities are rare. The disparity in pay is often driven by firm tier, billable hour expectations, bonus structures, and the public versus private sector divide. To maximize lawyer pay in Moses Lake, professionals should consider networking with local attorneys, seeking partnerships in regional firms, and evaluating opportunities in government or in-house corporate roles, where job security and benefits may outweigh base salary considerations.
More salary data for Moses Lake, WA:
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 $127,903 for lawyersin the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake 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