Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $193,400 ($92.98/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $119,500/year and the 90th was $389,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $130,443 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$193,400$92.98 per hour · $16,117 monthly
10th Percentile$119,500$57.45/hr base
25th Percentile$170,500$81.97/hr base
75th Percentile$357,000$171.63/hr base
90th Percentile$389,100$187.07/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$193,400
$75,000$390,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$193,400
Net 67%
Fed 18%
DC 7%
FICA 7%
Annual take-home$130,443After all taxes
Monthly deposit$10,870Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$5,017Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate32.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$35,150 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$13,564 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$14,243 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$57.45/hr$9,958$119,500$85,616
25th Percentile$81.97/hr$14,208$170,500$116,185
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$92.98/hr$16,117$193,400$130,443
75th Percentile$171.63/hr$29,750$357,000$222,727
90th Percentile$187.07/hr$32,425$389,100$239,869

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$193,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio152.7%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for lawyers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $193,400, which equates to approximately $16,117 per month or $92.98 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $92.98 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $57.45/hour and one in ten earned more than $187.07/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $119,500 at the 10th percentile to $170,500 at the 25th, $357,000 at the 75th, and $389,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $193,400, an estimated $130,443 lands in net take-home pay per year ($5,017 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $62,957 (an effective rate of 32.6%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $193,400, gross monthly income is $16,117. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $10,870 per month (or $5,017 every two weeks).

Is $193,400 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $193,400, the median salary for lawyers is 152.7% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.