Lawyer Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $74.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Chattanooga, TN runs $74.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $154,579 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $81.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $92,746 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, TN, the projected median hourly rate for lawyers in 2026 is set at $74.32, which reflects a slight disadvantage compared to the national median of $80.37 per hour. This hourly wage has significant implications for both full-time and part-time positions, especially for those working three days a week. In settings such as law firm offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments, lawyers can expect to earn between $32.72 to $178.92 per hour, allowing entry-level positions to thrive while still permitting high earners to capitalize on extensive experience. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data highlights this range, which also accommodates varying work arrangements, including remote contract work and client consultations, thus setting the foundation for diverse pay structures within the field.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.72 | $261.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.23 | $393.84 |
| Median (P50) | $74.32 | $594.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104.02 | $832.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178.92 | $1431.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $74.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $74.32/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $154,577 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $89,179. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,972.64 | $12,881 | $154,577 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,783.59 | $7,729 | $92,746 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,189.06 | $5,153 | $61,831 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Chattanooga) | $74.32 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $154,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.53% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 14.20% above the Tennessee state average of $135,358.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $74.32/hr = $92,746/year (purchasing power: $101,402).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $154,577/year (purchasing power: $169,004).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$54.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$70.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$74.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $70.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Chattanooga grew 29.9% from $54.66/hr (2019) to $70.98/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.81/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Hourly pay dynamics for legal professionals in Chattanooga reveal multiple earning avenues depending on the nature of employment and specialization. A lawyer working part-time at an average of 24 hours per week could potentially take home around $57,133 annually, significantly less than full-time peers. Contract roles, common in the local landscape, range widely; per diem lawyer pay in Chattanooga typically bills at $25-$50 per hour for document review positions, while specialized 1099 arrangements with experienced legal practitioners can command rates of $200-$500 per hour. The differences between employment types are stark, as BigLaw firms tend to pay top-dollar for associates, while public sector roles may offer less compensation but include benefits like health insurance. Negotiating an hourly rate is crucial, as those looking to maximize earnings should assess the trade-offs of accepting lower pay for job security versus pursuing higher hourly fees without benefits.
More salary data for Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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