Lawyers Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$76,510
- 25th Percentile — Junior$98,750
- 50th Percentile — Median$136,180
- 75th Percentile — Senior$198,470
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$324,880
Half of Lawyers in Tennessee earn more than $136,180. The top 10% make $324,880 or more, while entry-level workers start around $76,510.
Lawyers in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 23rd of 51 states for Lawyers pay, at $163,870 per year (11.8% below the U.S. average of $185,840).
- 9,010 people work as Lawyers in Tennessee — 1.2% of all U.S. Lawyers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.57: Lawyers jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,510; the top 10% earn over $324,880.
- Hourly equivalent: $78.78 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $242,800.
- Among legal jobs in Tennessee, Administrative Law Judges pays the most ($106,490).
Lawyers Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Lawyers here earn $163,870 on average, placing the state 23rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $163,870 is roughly equivalent to $186,216 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($169,940), Utah ($169,480), Pennsylvania ($169,170) are the closest alternatives for Lawyers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Legal Jobs in Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Lawyers salary in Tennessee?
The average Lawyers salary in Tennessee is $163,870 per year (median $136,180), which is 11.8% below the national average of $185,840.
How does Tennessee rank for Lawyers pay?
Tennessee ranks 23rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($242,800/yr).
How much do entry-level Lawyers make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Lawyers in Tennessee earn about $76,510 per year and the 25th percentile is $98,750.
How much do Lawyers make per hour in Tennessee?
About $78.78 per hour, based on the $163,870 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Lawyers work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 9,010 Lawyers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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