Paralegal Salary in Kingsport, TN: $56,113 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Kingsport, TN earns a median $56,113/year (≈ $26.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $64,910 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the paralegal salary in Kingsport, Tennessee is projected to reach a median of $56,113, which highlights the compensation differences influenced by the employer type—whether in large law firms, mid-size practices, or smaller boutique firms. The salary range for paralegals in this region extends from $41,156 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $81,121 at the upper end (90th percentile), illustrating the potential disparities based on experience, specialization, and firm prestige. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which provide a clear landscape for those considering career opportunities in the paralegal field in Kingsport.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,156 | $19.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,805 | $23.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,113 | $26.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,518 | $31.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,121 | $39.00 |
Median Salary Position
13.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,965 (2026 est.). At $56,113, the local median is 13.8% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Paralegal Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $56,113/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $54,163 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -13.80% less |
Paralegals in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $56,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.80% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.60% above the Tennessee state average of $54,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $56,113 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,910 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,850
2025 BLS Actual
$54,210
2026 Current Est.
$56,113
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,113 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,082 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 20.9% from $44,850 (2019) to $54,210 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,082 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,232 (29.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $41,156 – $48,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,805 – $56,113 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,113 – $64,518 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,518 – $81,121 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Kingsport
With approximately 200 paralegals employed in Kingsport, the local job market exhibits a steady growth rate of 3.51% annually, promising opportunities for aspiring professionals. The cost of living, indexed at 86.447, plays a significant role in enhancing take-home purchasing power, as lower living costs can allow for more effective budgeting and savings. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay often include BigLaw firms and corporate legal departments, where the intensity and demands can be counterbalanced by higher compensation. Conversely, public sector positions and smaller firms may offer lower wages but better work-life balance. Factors that drive the variances in pay include the paralegal's tier of law firm employment, specialty areas like e-discovery, and certifications from organizations such as NALA or NFPA. To maximize earning potential, gaining experience in high-demand areas and pursuing relevant certifications can improve prospects within Kingsport's legal market.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 $54,210 for paralegalsin the Kingsport 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
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