Paralegal Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $30.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Nashville, TN runs $30.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,934 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,759 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, Tennessee, the paralegal hourly pay sits at a median rate of $30.26, slightly below the national median of $31.30. This figure reflects the steady demand for paralegals in various settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and governmental offices. For those working part-time, such as a three-day workweek, this hourly wage translates into a consistent income that can support various lifestyle choices. Entry-level positions start around $22.78 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $46.92, showing a broad spectrum of earning potential. Official data supports these figures, highlighting Nashville's competitive salary landscape within the profession that adapts to both traditional office environments and increasingly popular remote work settings.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.78 | $182.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.65 | $189.22 |
| Median (P50) | $30.26 | $242.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.59 | $300.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.92 | $375.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $30.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.26/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $62,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,307. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,210.24 | $5,244 | $62,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $726.14 | $3,147 | $37,759 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.10 | $2,098 | $25,173 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Nashville) | $30.26 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Nashville, TN earn a median of $62,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 16.20% above the Tennessee state average of $54,160.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.26/hr = $37,759/year (purchasing power: $39,195).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,932/year (purchasing power: $65,325).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Nashville grew 15.9% from $25.23/hr (2019) to $29.23/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.32/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Nashville
Considering the potential earnings for paralegals working part-time or as per-diem employees, the financial outlook can vary significantly. A paralegal working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would earn an annual income that is materially lower than their full-time counterparts, allowing for a work-life balance that might appeal to many in the field. On a per-diem or freelance basis, rates fluctuate widely; for example, contract paralegals typically bill between $25 and $50 per hour, while e-discovery specialists can command $30 to $60, and those preparing for trial may earn between $50 and $90 per hour during peak periods. Hourly rates can vary based on the type of employer, with BigLaw firms generally paying more than smaller firms or government offices. This creates a trade-off where some may accept lower hourly wages for the benefits of full-time employment, such as health insurance. When negotiating pay, paralegals in Nashville should offer data that reflects local market rates and demonstrate the unique skills they bring, especially in high-demand areas like e-discovery, to secure the best compensation.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Nashville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov