Paralegal Salary

Collierville vs Knoxville: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Collierville, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Collierville, TN
$54,288
$26.09/hr
Knoxville, TN
$51,527
$24.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollierville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$54,288$51,527
Hourly Rate$26.09$24.78
Entry Level (P10)$37,499$40,359
25th Percentile$42,373$48,826
75th Percentile$68,973$62,634
Top Earner (P90)$84,146$78,316
Total Employed8770
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Collierville ($54,288) and Knoxville ($51,527) paralegal salaries.ColliervilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$54,288$51,527Entry Level (P10)$37,499$40,359Top Earner (P90)$84,146$78,316US Median $65,097

Verdict

Collierville, TN offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Collierville and Knoxville is $2,761 (5.36%). Collierville's median is -16.60% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Collierville spans $46,647,Knoxville spans $37,957. Collierville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Collierville
P10 (Entry)$37,499
P25$42,373
Median$54,288
P75$68,973
P90 (Top)$84,146
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$40,359
P25$48,826
Median$51,527
P75$62,634
P90 (Top)$78,316

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Collierville ($59,137 effective) pays 6.24% more than Knoxville ($55,663 effective).

Collierville
Nominal: $54,288
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $59,137
Knoxville
Nominal: $51,527
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $55,663

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Collierville if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,288/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,146)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,137)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Collierville grew 9.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.6% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Collierville, TN

+9.6%

$47,843 (2024) → $52,447 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+5.6%

$47,160 (2019) → $49,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Collierville or Knoxville?

Collierville has a higher median paralegal salary at $54,288/year, compared to Knoxville at $51,527/year — a difference of $2,761 (5.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Collierville and Knoxville?

Collierville paralegals earn $26.09/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $24.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Collierville to Knoxville as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Collierville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Collierville = $59,137, Knoxville = $55,663), job availability (8 vs 770 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Collierville vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $37,499 in Collierville and $40,359 in Knoxville. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, JD

Career Analyst

Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.51% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov