Lawyer Salary in Richland, WA: $144,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Richland, WA earns a median $144,922/year (≈ $69.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $134,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the lawyer salary in Richland, WA, is projected to reach a median of $144,922, reflecting the local legal market's expectations and the overarching national context. With salaries ranging from $84,054 at the lower 10th percentile to a high of $224,629 at the 90th percentile, the compensation for legal professionals demonstrates a healthy range for those navigating different career paths within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest that while Richland's salaries are slightly below the national median of $167,174, the local market offers competitive pay relative to the state average. The employment landscape comprises around 15 lawyers, indicating a niche but stable market where dedicated professionals can build their careers.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($158,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,054 | $40.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,344 | $50.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,922 | $69.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,499 | $89.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $224,629 | $108.00 |
Median Salary Position
13.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,575 (2026 est.). At $144,922, the local median is 13.31% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richland Lawyer Pay Compares
Richland median: $144,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $138,814 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -13.31% less |
Lawyers in Richland, WA earn a median of $144,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.31% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.40% above the Washington state average of $138,814.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,922 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,937 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,593
2025 BLS Actual
$138,416
2026 Current Est.
$144,922
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,953 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,671 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,358 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,496 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,416 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $106,593 (2019) to $138,416 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,140 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $84,054 – $104,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,344 – $144,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,922 – $185,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,499 – $224,629 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Richland
Given Richland’s cost of living index of 107.4, lawyers in the area may find their take-home purchasing power somewhat diminished compared to larger legal markets. The competitive pay varies significantly, with larger firms and corporate in-house positions typically commanding higher salaries than small firms or public sector roles. Job seekers should prioritize applications to regional firms or in-house legal departments that offer better pay structures; however, they should also be aware of the robust demands often associated with larger firms. As billable hours are a key driver of income in private practice, maximizing efficiency and maintaining a consistent workload—generally between 1,800 and 2,400 billable hours annually—can significantly impact earnings. Those in Richland looking to enhance their legal careers should also consider the potential benefits of transitioning to firms that focus on specialized practices or those positioned within the governmental and nonprofit sectors for experience and growth opportunities.
More salary data for Richland, 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 $138,416 for lawyersin the Richland 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 Richland 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