Lawyer Hourly Pay in Murfreesboro, TN: $70.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Murfreesboro, TN runs $70.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Murfreesboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,951 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Murfreesboro, TN, lawyer hourly pay stands at a median of $70.47, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $80.37. For attorneys working in various settings—such as law firms, courtrooms, and corporate offices—this rate can influence part-time and per-diem arrangements significantly. A part-time lawyer working three days a week, for instance, can earn a comfortable living, but the rate might seem less appealing compared to the full potential of a full-time position. The hourly range for lawyers in the area extends from approximately $40.87 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $109.24 for top earners (90th percentile), with various factors, including experience and specialty, playing critical roles. As these figures are derived from annual salaries, they represent the financial realities for legal professionals navigating their career paths in Murfreesboro.
About the Murfreesboro 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) | $40.87 | $327.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.75 | $405.98 |
| Median (P50) | $70.47 | $563.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.21 | $721.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.24 | $873.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Murfreesboro
Based on $70.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.47/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Murfreesboro, TN can expect to earn approximately $146,585 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,568. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Murfreesboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Murfreesboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,818.94 | $12,215 | $146,585 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,691.37 | $7,329 | $87,951 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,127.58 | $4,886 | $58,634 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Murfreesboro) | $70.47 |
| 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 Murfreesboro, TN earn a median of $146,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.31% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 8.30% above the Tennessee state average of $135,360.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.47/hr = $87,951/year (purchasing power: $95,807).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,585/year (purchasing power: $159,679).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Murfreesboro grew 29.9% from $51.83/hr (2019) to $67.31/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.79/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 Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro
Part-time lawyers pulling in income at a rate of about 24 hours a week will find their annual earnings significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Multiplier effects in hourly wages show a stark contrast: while some per diem lawyers in Murfreesboro may find themselves billed at a lower threshold of $25-$50 an hour for contract work, others engaged in 1099 of-counsel arrangements can command rates ranging from $200 to $500 per hour. In terms of employer types, large law firms often provide higher compensation, reflecting the pressures of BigLaw, while public interest positions, government entities, and smaller firms may offer lower hourly rates but additional benefits, such as health insurance. Understanding this compensation landscape is crucial for lawyers, especially when negotiating their pay; those prioritizing benefits might accept lower hourly wages in exchange for job security and health coverage. Therefore, knowing the nuances of lawyer hourly rate trends in TN can empower legal professionals to make informed choices about their careers and compensation.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Murfreesboro. 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 Murfreesboro 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