How Much Should I Charge as a Lawyer in Washington?

Charge too much and you lose clients. Charge too little and you lose profits.

The Clio Legal Trends Report shows exactly what Washington lawyers charge, bill, and collect, so you can stay competitive and profitable.

Key Washington Benchmarks (2025):

• Lawyers average hourly rate: $344/hour
• Law firms average hourly rate: $299/hour
• Cost-of-living–adjusted (lawyers): $317/hour
• KPI benchmarks: Utilization – 36% | Realization – 91% | Collection – 92%
• Top-earning practice areas in Washington: Tax($553/hr), Civil Rights and Constitutional Law ($513/hr), Intellectual Property ($503/hr)
• Lowest-earning practice areas in Washington: Traffic Offenses ($158/hr), Criminal ($193/hr), Insurance ($214/hr)

These numbers reflect what firms across Washington are earning right now. Use them to set a rate that’s competitive and aligned with the market.

Lawyers' Hourly Rates in Washington

Legal billing in Washington covers a wide range. According to the Clio Legal Trends Report, rates stretch from $158/hour in lower-paying practice areas like Traffic Offenses to $553/hour in high-demand specialties such as Tax.

That’s a 250%+ difference between the lowest and highest ends of the spectrum! Your practice area matters just as much as your experience.

Compared with its neighbors, Washington sits comfortably above average as per Clio’s reporting.

• Oregon lawyers average $324/hour
• Idaho lawyers average $304/hour

That puts Washington about 6-13% higher than nearby states — particularly in cities like Seattle and Bellevue, where business growth continues to push rates upward.

In short, your hourly rate in Washington shouldn’t just reflect time spent. It should reflect market reality, specialization, and value.

Lawyers Hourly Rates by Practice Area in Washington

Every practice area tells a story.

Some pay top dollar, others barely cover the hours you put in. Check out what Washington lawyers really charge, bill, and collect.

Hourly Rates for Washington Law Firms

— Unadjusted Hourly Rates for Washington Lawyers

California lawyers bill an average of $344/hour (not adjusted for cost of living) — meaning this number reflects raw billing rates, not what those dollars are worth after local expenses.

Washington law firms bill an average of $299/hour.

By comparison, Oregon averages $283/hour and Idaho $294/hour. This puts Washington roughly 2-6% higher than its nearby peers.

— Adjusted Hourly Rates for Washington Lawyers

When adjusted for cost of living, Washington lawyers average $317/hour, reflecting what their billing power looks like after factoring in local expenses and regional purchasing power. Washington law firms average $276/hour on a cost-of-living–adjusted basis.

By comparison, while adjusted figures vary by source and year, Washington remains competitive relative to nearby states on both an unadjusted and adjusted basis.

Washington Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Your hourly rate is only part of the story. What really determines profit is your KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).

KPIs reflect how many of your hours turn into income. According to the Clio Legal Trends Report 2025, Washington lawyers perform close to the national averages in all 3 key areas.

— Utilization rate 36%

This is the percentage of a lawyer’s total workday spent on billable, revenue-generating work. 

Washington’s utilization is 36%.

— Realization rate 91%

Your realization rate shows how much of your billable time actually makes it onto an invoice - after write-offs, discounts, or canceled work.

In Washington, lawyers realize about 91% of the hours they log.

— Collection rate 92%

Collection rate measures how much of that billed revenue actually gets paid.

Washington lawyers collect 92% of what they invoice, slightly below the national average of 93%. Hawaii, by contrast, maintains a 96% collection rate, demonstrating how strong follow‑up and payment systems can make a measurable difference in total earnings.

Law Firm vs Solo Lawyers Rates in Washington

— Lawyer Rates

— Law Firm Rates

‍

Frequently Asked Questions