Lawyer Hourly Pay in Brentwood, TN: $62.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Brentwood, TN runs $62.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,535 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Brentwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,321 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the median hourly pay for lawyers in Brentwood, Tennessee, stands at $62.76, which is significantly below the national hourly median of $80.37. This disparity shapes the earning prospects for part-time attorneys or those engaged in per-diem work, especially within various settings such as law firm offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. For instance, a lawyer working three days a week might expect to earn around $4,753 monthly—substantially less than a full-time lawyer, who takes home a higher monthly total. Furthermore, entry-level lawyers in Brentwood can earn around $36.40 per hour, while top-tier attorneys can command up to $97.28 per hour, indicating a broad range of compensation that reflects experience and specialization. Understand that these hourly rates draw from projected annual salary data and are indicative of the local market dynamics.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.40 | $291.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.19 | $361.51 |
| Median (P50) | $62.76 | $502.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.33 | $642.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.28 | $778.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brentwood
Based on $62.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.76/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brentwood, TN can expect to earn approximately $130,535 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,309. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brentwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brentwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,510.29 | $10,878 | $130,535 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,506.17 | $6,527 | $78,321 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,004.11 | $4,351 | $52,214 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Brentwood) | $62.76 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Brentwood, TN earn a median of $130,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.92% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.50% below the Tennessee state average of $135,269.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.76/hr = $78,321/year (purchasing power: $85,317).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,535/year (purchasing power: $142,195).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Brentwood grew 29.9% from $46.16/hr (2019) to $59.94/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Brentwood
Analyzing the earning potential reveals that a part-time lawyer working 24 hours a week in Brentwood would likely clear about $56,429 annually, a considerable reduction compared to their full-time counterparts. Contractors and per-diem attorneys could find they are billed at a starkly lower scale, often ranging from $25 to $50 per hour for doc review tasks. Conversely, those with established networks charging 1099 rates may earn between $200 and $500 for specialized services like expert testimony. The variance in hourly pay across different employer types in Brentwood is notable; large firms may offer competitive rates but expect grueling billable hour requirements, while boutique firms or in-house positions provide better work-life balance but lower hourly rates. The choice between higher hourly pay in positions with no benefits versus stable income with insurance is a common trade-off. For hourly workers negotiating in Brentwood, it’s beneficial to develop strong arguments for their expertise and be aware of prevailing market rates, ultimately aiming for a balance between fair compensation and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Brentwood, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Brentwood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov