Lawyer salary in Tennessee
Lawyers in Tennessee earn a median of $136,180 a year ($65.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $324,880 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $159,670. Tennessee ranks 20th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 2.7 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $163,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,510 | $36.79 |
| 25th percentile | $98,750 | $47.48 |
| Median | $136,180 | $65.47 |
| 75th percentile | $198,470 | $95.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $324,880 | $156.19 |
| Average (mean) | $163,870 | $78.79 |
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 | $11,348.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,674.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,237.69 |
| Weekly | $2,618.85 |
| Hourly | $65.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $147,640 | 740 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $142,540 | 3,990 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $134,440 | 1,670 |
| Jackson, TN | $133,770 | 190 |
| Cleveland, TN | $131,980 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $126,520 | 1,250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $119,430 | 160 |
| Johnson City, TN | $117,390 | 130 |
| Morristown, TN | $115,230 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $107,560 | 300 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $208,350 | $100.17 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $107,740 | $51.80 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $58,610 | $28.18 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for lawyers in Tennessee is $136,180 a year, or $65.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $324,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of lawyers in Tennessee earn at least $324,880 a year. The top 25% earn $198,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,510 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $98,750 or less.
How many lawyers work in Tennessee?
About 9,010 lawyers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.