Lawyer Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $63.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Knoxville, TN runs $63.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,466 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,484 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to be $63.69 for 2026, which positions it significantly below the national hourly median of $80.37. This rate is particularly relevant for part-time lawyers and those working per-diem, as it sets the benchmark for average earnings in various environments, including law firm offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. Lawyers who work part-time, say three days a week, could expect to earn around $1,000 weekly based on typical billable hours. In Knoxville, hourly wages range from $39.16 at the entry level to $132.50 for the top earners, reflecting the profession's competitive yet diverse nature in this mid-sized city. This information is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and serves as a valuable indication for current and aspiring legal professionals in the area.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.16 | $313.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.75 | $389.99 |
| Median (P50) | $63.69 | $509.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.33 | $754.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132.50 | $1059.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $63.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.69/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $132,473 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,427. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,547.56 | $11,039 | $132,473 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,528.54 | $6,624 | $79,484 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,019.02 | $4,416 | $52,989 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Knoxville) | $63.69 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $132,466 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.76% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.10% below the Tennessee state average of $135,308.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.69/hr = $79,484/year (purchasing power: $85,864).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,473/year (purchasing power: $143,107).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Knoxville grew 28.9% from $47.18/hr (2019) to $60.83/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.68/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
For those considering part-time work as a lawyer in Knoxville, earning potential varies widely. A lawyer working a 24-hour week could take home a respectable, yet significantly less lucrative, amount compared to full-time peers—potentially reflecting in an annual income that remains below typical full-time earnings. Per-diem and contract roles also paint a varied picture of compensation; while contract attorney positions might have starting rates of $25-$50 per hour, more experienced professionals on a 1099 basis can charge anywhere from $200 to $500 per hour. Different employment settings further affect pay: firms of various sizes, corporate legal departments, and government entities offer distinct compensatory structures. For those considering roles in public interest or smaller firms, the allure of lower hourly rates often comes with non-monetary benefits like job satisfaction and a better work-life balance. When negotiating positions, it pays to consider both hourly rates and additional perks, as these can significantly influence overall job satisfaction and financial health.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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 Knoxville. 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