Lawyer Salary in Tennessee: $142,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $142,775/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $155,528 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chattanooga ($147,640), Nashville ($142,540), Franklin ($140,824).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in Tennessee is projected to be $142,775, which is 14.6% lower than the national median of $167,174. The highest paying city is Chattanooga at $154,579, while the lowest is Kingsport at $112,615, illustrating a salary gap of $41,964. This difference often stems from local demand for legal services, cost of living variations, and the concentration of industries requiring legal expertise, such as healthcare and manufacturing, which are more prominent in urban areas. Tennessee requires lawyers to pass the state bar exam and adhere to specific licensing requirements, as well as scope of practice laws that may influence job prospects in certain legal fields. The state's legal market is growing, with an annual compound growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, indicating a steady demand for legal professionals. Major cities like Nashville ($149,239), Franklin ($147,443), Murfreesboro ($146,595), and Memphis ($140,759) offer various opportunities influenced by their local economies and population growth. Overall, while salaries in Tennessee may lag behind the national average, the job market's growth suggests promising prospects for prospective lawyers in the state.
Tennessee Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $55,093 (lowest entry-level) to $372,167 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee lawyers earn 14.59% less than the national median ($-24,399/year difference).
Tennessee Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Tennessee range from $80,674 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $333,984 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $142,775. The Tennessee median is $24,399 below the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $68.64/hr. Approximately 8,762 lawyers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$96,954
2025 BLS Actual
$136,366
2026 Current Est.
$142,775
2019–2027 Growth
+54.2%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,954 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,734 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,287 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 40.7% from $96,954 (2019) to $136,366 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,532 (54.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kingsport | $112,615 |
| Morristown | $120,646 |
| Johnson City | $122,907 |
| Tullahoma | $125,033 |
| Clarksville | $125,043 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $154,579 | 91.464 | $169,005 |
| Jackson | $140,057 | 85.522 | $163,767 |
| Franklin | $147,443 | 91.8 | $160,613 |
| Murfreesboro | $146,595 | 91.8 | $159,690 |
| Cleveland | $138,183 | 88.08 | $156,884 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,674 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $142,775 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $333,984 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattanooga | $154,579 |
| 2 | Nashville | $149,239 |
| 3 | Franklin | $147,443 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $146,595 |
| 5 | Memphis | $140,759 |
| 6 | Jackson | $140,057 |
| 7 | Cleveland | $138,183 |
| 8 | Smyrna | $136,785 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $136,098 |
| 10 | Collierville | $135,627 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $134,588 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $132,783 |
| 13 | Oak Ridge | $132,772 |
| 14 | Knoxville | $132,466 |
| 15 | Columbia | $131,879 |
| 16 | Germantown | $131,712 |
| 17 | Hendersonville | $131,448 |
| 18 | Gallatin | $131,217 |
| 19 | Brentwood | $130,535 |
| 20 | Shelbyville | $129,520 |
| 21 | Mount Juliet | $129,517 |
| 22 | La Vergne | $129,244 |
| 23 | Cookeville | $128,582 |
| 24 | Maryville | $128,498 |
| 25 | Sevierville | $127,760 |
| 26 | Clarksville | $125,043 |
| 27 | Tullahoma | $125,033 |
| 28 | Johnson City | $122,907 |
| 29 | Morristown | $120,646 |
| 30 | Kingsport | $112,615 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for lawyers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee lawyer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level lawyer salary in Tennessee?
How many lawyers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for lawyers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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