BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Tennessee

$60,790 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$29.23 per hour

▼ 12.8% below U.S. average36th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$60,790per year
Median$58,820per year
Hourly$29.23per hour
10th – 90th percentile$43,570 – $83,100per year

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,570
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,270
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,820
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$67,470
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,100

Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Tennessee earn more than $58,820. The top 10% make $83,100 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,570.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 36th of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $60,790 per year (12.8% below the U.S. average of $69,700).
  • 6,080 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Tennessee — 1.5% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.73: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,570; the top 10% earn over $83,100.
  • Hourly equivalent: $29.23 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
  • Among legal jobs in Tennessee, Lawyers pays the most ($163,870).

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $60,790 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $60,790 is roughly equivalent to $69,080 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Dakota ($62,260), Indiana ($61,830), New Mexico ($61,530) are the closest alternatives for Paralegals and Legal Assistants weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Tennessee?

The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Tennessee is $60,790 per year (median $58,820), which is 12.8% below the national average of $69,700.

How does Tennessee rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?

Tennessee ranks 36th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($95,400/yr).

How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Tennessee earn about $43,570 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,270.

How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Tennessee?

About $29.23 per hour, based on the $60,790 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 6,080 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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