Lawyer salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Lawyers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $134,440 a year ($64.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $322,970 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $136,180. There are 2.7 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $159,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,270 | $35.71 |
| 25th percentile | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Median | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| 75th percentile | $199,680 | $96.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $322,970 | $155.27 |
| Average (mean) | $159,520 | $76.69 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,203.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,601.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,170.77 |
| Weekly | $2,585.38 |
| Hourly | $64.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $147,640 | 740 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $142,540 | 3,990 |
| Jackson, TN | $133,770 | 190 |
| Cleveland, TN | $131,980 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $126,520 | 1,250 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $126,220 | 810 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $119,430 | 160 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $118,410 | 120 |
| Johnson City, TN | $117,390 | 130 |
| Morristown, TN | $115,230 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $107,560 | 300 |
| Jackson, MS | $104,460 | 1,390 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $97,870 | 1,670 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $92,700 | 90 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $92,510 | 90 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $88,100 | 170 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $87,570 | 160 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $87,210 | 380 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $124,870 | $60.04 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $59,880 | $28.79 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for lawyers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $134,440 a year, or $64.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $322,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $322,970 a year. The top 25% earn $199,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,270 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $88,610 or less.
How many lawyers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,670 lawyers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.