Lawyer Hourly Pay in Kingsport, TN: $54.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Kingsport, TN runs $54.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,615 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Kingsport's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,567 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, Tennessee, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to hit a median of $54.14 in 2026. This figure is notable particularly when compared to the national hourly median of $80.37, indicating a significant variation in compensation within the legal profession. For legal professionals working part-time—such as those securing roles three days a week—this hourly rate translates to a take-home income that may cater well to flexible schedules while still offering a respectable standard of living. Per-diem work arrangements also come into play, with hourly pay allowing lawyers to balance case loads in law firm offices, courtroom settings, or even remote contract scenarios. The range for lawyers in Kingsport can extend from $38.19 at the lower end (10th percentile) to over $122.20 for highly experienced or specialized practitioners, showcasing both entry-level opportunities and the potential for lucrative cases.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.19 | $305.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.68 | $381.44 |
| Median (P50) | $54.14 | $433.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.22 | $673.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122.20 | $977.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kingsport
Based on $54.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.14/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kingsport, TN can expect to earn approximately $112,612 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,968. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kingsport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kingsport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,165.61 | $9,384 | $112,612 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,299.37 | $5,631 | $67,567 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $866.25 | $3,754 | $45,045 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Kingsport) | $54.14 |
| 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 Kingsport, TN earn a median of $112,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.64% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 16.80% below the Tennessee state average of $135,355.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.14/hr = $67,567/year (purchasing power: $78,160).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,612/year (purchasing power: $130,267).
CoL index: 86.447 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Kingsport grew 34.2% from $38.54/hr (2019) to $51.71/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.68/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 Kingsport 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 Kingsport
Considering the earning potential, part-time lawyers who work 24 hours a week could see substantial differences in income compared to their full-time counterparts. For those pursuing per diem positions, typical pay may range from $25 to $50 per hour for contract attorney work, while more established attorneys might bill higher rates between $200 and $500 per hour as of 2026. This creates a diversity of options for practitioners looking to maximize their earnings, particularly among the varying employer types present in Kingsport—from BigLaw firms to small boutique practices. There's also an interesting trade-off: many lawyers may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, particularly in environments like governmental or public interest law, where hourly rates are typically lower but job satisfaction and stability are higher. As the market evolves, negotiating for fair pay becomes critical; understanding the nuances of Kingsport's legal landscape and leveraging local knowledge can position lawyers to better advocate for themselves.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 Kingsport. 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, 7-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