Paralegal Salary in Franklin, TN: $62,176 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Franklin, TN earns a median $62,176/year (≈ $29.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $67,730 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.8% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the paralegal salary in Franklin, Tennessee, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $62,176. This local estimate reveals a salary range from $45,748 at the 10th percentile to $96,373 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a significant disparity reflective of firm types. In contrast to the national median of $65,097, compensation in Franklin is slightly lower, indicating the impact of regional market dynamics and firm structures. Paralegals working in large law firms typically command higher salaries compared to their counterparts in mid-sized or small practices, but competition for positions can be fierce. As Franklin continues to grow as a suburban hub, the demand for legal support remains steady, making it a relevant consideration for aspiring paralegals contemplating their career paths in this local market.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,748 | $22.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,176 | $29.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,586 | $38.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,373 | $46.33 |
Median Salary Position
4.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, TN, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,625 (2026 est.). At $62,176, the local median is 4.49% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Paralegal Pay Compares
Franklin median: $62,176/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $54,161 | +14.80% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -4.49% less |
Paralegals in Franklin, TN earn a median of $62,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.49% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 14.80% above the Tennessee state average of $54,161.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $62,176 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,730 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,418
2025 BLS Actual
$60,068
2026 Current Est.
$62,176
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,418 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,545 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,707 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,544 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,068 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,176 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,359 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $49,418 (2019) to $60,068 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,359 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,941 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,748 – $50,440 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,440 – $62,176 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,176 – $79,586 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,586 – $96,373 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Franklin
The job market for paralegals in Franklin is supported by a modest number of positions, with 18 paralegals currently employed in the area. This environment translates into a Cost of Living Index of 91.8, which suggests that salaries may go further in terms of purchasing power compared to more expensive cities. Within the local landscape, various employers provide competitive pay, with in-house corporate legal departments often being the most lucrative. Conversely, federal and state government positions may offer stability but typically pay lower than private firms. The variance in compensation is driven by factors such as firm size, the specialization of legal services—including the lucrative e-discovery field—and credentials from organizations like NALA and NFPA. Paralegals looking to maximize their earning potential in Franklin should pursue certifications, consider roles in higher-paying sectors, and expand their skill sets, especially in areas like bilingualism or legaltech, to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Franklin, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,068 for paralegalsin the Franklin metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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