Women in Law in Washington
How women in law fare in Washington — state-adjusted pay gap, state ranking, and the national context that frames the local picture.
The state-adjusted picture
Women in law nationally face the same structural conditions as women in every other field — but the overall wage environment in Washington modifies the baseline by -5.6% relative to the US average. A state where the overall pay gap is narrower tends to reflect narrower gaps within fields too, though field-specific dynamics dominate for specialized professions.
Washington elected its first woman US Senator in 1993.
National context
The legal profession is half female by count and far less than half at the top. This page tracks the current numbers: who enters law school, who makes partner, who leaves, and what the pay actually looks like.
National headline stats (law)
Other fields in Washington
Law in other states
Related pages
Frequently asked
What is the pay gap for women in law in Washington?
Washington’s overall pay ratio is 79.1% — a 20.9% gap. The gap within law follows the national pattern modified by Washington’s overall wage environment. See the full national field data for in-field specifics.
How does Washington rank on pay equity?
Washington ranks #38 of 51 US jurisdictions on pay equity, per Census ACS state ratios.
How are women represented in Washington politics?
49.7% of Washington state legislators are women (CAWP 2024). 5 women from Washington serve in the 119th US Congress.
Where does the national law data come from?
American Bar Association statistics; NALP Reports on Diversity in US Law Firms; Major, Lindsey & Africa Partner Compensation Survey