Lawyers Salary in Tennessee
Lawyers in Tennessee have a median of $136,180 a year, below the national $159,670 (−15%); the state ranks 20th of 51 states by median. Lawyers earn 2.9 times the median across all occupations in Tennessee ($47,380). Among neighbouring states, Virginia pays more (up to $167,210 in Virginia) and Georgia, Missouri, Alabama, North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas and Mississippi pay less (down to $91,690 in Mississippi). Tennessee employs 9,010 lawyers, 2.75 per 1,000 jobs, the 23rd largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.57 means it is less common in Tennessee than nationally.
Tennessee vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Tennessee | Hourly | $36.79 | $47.48 | $65.47 | $95.42 | $156.19 | $78.79 | 9,010 | 2.75 | 0.57 |
| Annual | $76,510 | $98,750 | $136,180 | $198,470 | $324,880 | $163,870 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $37.67 | $49.51 | $76.76 | $106.43 | $169.04 | $89.35 | 754,500 | – | – |
| Annual | $78,360 | $102,990 | $159,670 | $221,370 | $351,600 | $185,840 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 20th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 23rd of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.57
- Jobs per 1,000
- 2.75
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Tennessee's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Tennessee
10 metropolitan areas and 4 nonmetropolitan areas touching Tennessee publish a row for lawyers, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $70.98 | $147,640 | $65,000 | $355,460 | 740 | 2.74 | 0.56 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $68.53 | $142,540 | $81,890 | $346,830 | 3,990 | 3.63 | 0.75 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64.63 | $134,440 | $74,270 | $322,970 | 1,670 | 2.73 | 0.56 |
| Jackson, TN | $64.31 | $133,770 | $75,040 | $345,550 | 190 | 2.24 | 0.46 |
| Cleveland, TN | $63.45 | $131,980 | $74,020 | $263,120 | 60 | 1.50 | 0.31 |
| Knoxville, TN | $60.83 | $126,520 | $77,800 | $263,220 | 1,250 | 2.95 | 0.61 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57.42 | $119,430 | $71,510 | $213,330 | 160 | 1.54 | 0.32 |
| Johnson City, TN | $56.44 | $117,390 | $52,620 | $244,010 | 130 | 1.59 | 0.33 |
| Morristown, TN | $55.40 | $115,230 | $58,640 | $272,550 | 70 | 1.39 | 0.29 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $51.71 | $107,560 | $75,880 | $242,750 | 300 | 2.50 | 0.52 |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $66.78 | $138,910 | $76,940 | $207,980 | 120 | 1.05 | 0.22 |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $64.63 | $134,440 | $63,870 | $197,680 | 140 | 0.96 | 0.20 |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $56.44 | $117,390 | $60,570 | $197,680 | 140 | 1.20 | 0.25 |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $47.91 | $99,640 | $49,730 | $197,680 | 160 | 1.36 | 0.28 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $65.47 | $136,180 | 9,010 | 0.57 |
| Alabama | $63.45 | $131,970 | 6,730 | 0.66 |
| Arkansas | $47.54 | $98,880 | 3,430 | 0.54 |
| Georgia | $64.82 | $134,830 | 23,930 | 1.01 |
| Kentucky | $48.82 | $101,550 | 5,770 | 0.59 |
| Missouri | $64.16 | $133,450 | 11,560 | 0.81 |
| Mississippi | $44.08 | $91,690 | 3,100 | 0.55 |
| North Carolina | $61.40 | $127,710 | 17,000 | 0.71 |
| Virginia | $80.39 | $167,210 | 18,580 | 0.93 |
See the national page for Lawyers (every state ranked) and the Tennessee wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Tennessee estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.