Paralegal Salary in Tennessee: $59,310 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $59,310/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,608 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($60,800), Franklin ($60,068), Murfreesboro ($59,723).
The average median salary for paralegals in Tennessee in 2026 is projected to be $59,310, which is approximately 8.9% lower than the national median of $65,097. The highest salaries are found in Nashville, where paralegals can expect to earn around $62,934, compared to Tullahoma, where the average salary is $50,047, creating a significant salary gap of $12,887. This disparity is often driven by the concentration of legal jobs and demand for specialized legal services in urban areas like Nashville, which hosts many law firms and corporate legal departments. In Tennessee, paralegals must adhere to state licensing requirements, though specific licensure is not mandated; however, experience and certification, such as from the National Association of Legal Assistants, can enhance job prospects. The demand for paralegals is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.51%, indicating a steady increase in job opportunities in the legal sector. Currently, there are 6,022 paralegals employed across the state. Top cities for employment are Nashville, Franklin ($62,176), Murfreesboro ($61,819), Chattanooga ($61,371), and Memphis ($58,845). This outlook suggests a stable job market, making it a sound career choice for individuals in Tennessee.
Tennessee Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $36,521 (lowest entry-level) to $97,589 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee paralegals earn 8.89% less than the national median ($-5,787/year difference).
Tennessee Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Tennessee range from $44,134 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $88,959 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,310. The Tennessee median is $5,787 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $28.52/hr. Approximately 6,022 paralegals are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,209
2025 BLS Actual
$57,299
2026 Current Est.
$59,310
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,669 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,324 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,511 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,049 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,310 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.4% from $47,209 (2019) to $57,299 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,183 (30.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $50,047 |
| Cleveland | $50,347 |
| Jackson | $50,689 |
| Sevierville | $51,139 |
| Maryville | $51,434 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $62,176 | 91.8 | $67,730 |
| Murfreesboro | $61,819 | 91.8 | $67,341 |
| Chattanooga | $61,371 | 91.464 | $67,099 |
| Nashville | $62,934 | 96.338 | $65,326 |
| Kingsport | $56,113 | 86.447 | $64,910 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,134 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,310 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $88,959 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $62,934 |
| 2 | Franklin | $62,176 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $61,819 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $61,371 |
| 5 | Memphis | $58,845 |
| 6 | Clarksville | $57,976 |
| 7 | Kingsport | $56,113 |
| 8 | Smyrna | $54,752 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $54,476 |
| 10 | Collierville | $54,288 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $53,872 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $53,149 |
| 13 | Oak Ridge | $53,145 |
| 14 | Columbia | $52,788 |
| 15 | Germantown | $52,721 |
| 16 | Hendersonville | $52,615 |
| 17 | Gallatin | $52,523 |
| 18 | Brentwood | $52,250 |
| 19 | Johnson City | $52,221 |
| 20 | Shelbyville | $51,843 |
| 21 | Mount Juliet | $51,842 |
| 22 | La Vergne | $51,732 |
| 23 | Morristown | $51,693 |
| 24 | Knoxville | $51,527 |
| 25 | Cookeville | $51,468 |
| 26 | Maryville | $51,434 |
| 27 | Sevierville | $51,139 |
| 28 | Jackson | $50,689 |
| 29 | Cleveland | $50,347 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $50,047 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Tennessee?
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Which Tennessee city offers the best value for paralegals?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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