Tennessee Median
$136,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$65.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#20 of 51
9,010 employed here
How much does a Lawyer make in Tennessee?
A Lawyer working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $136,180 per year, or about $65.47 per hour. That is 15% below the national median of $159,670 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $76,510 while the top 10% make $324,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $98,750 and $198,470 a year.
Lawyer salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,510 | $36.78 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $98,750 | $47.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $136,180 | $65.47 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $198,470 | $95.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $324,880 | $156.19 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 20th out of 51 states and territories for Lawyer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lawyer salary in other states
New York $207,860District of Columbia $195,190California $195,080Massachusetts $176,680Delaware $173,510Colorado $168,520Virginia $167,210Connecticut $163,600New Jersey $161,430Illinois $160,800Pennsylvania $157,180Minnesota $155,140Texas $154,200Washington $154,130Nevada $150,510Alaska $149,940Maryland $139,110Rhode Island $138,960Oregon $138,210Georgia $134,830Arizona $134,260Missouri $133,450Florida $133,180Utah $132,830Alabama $131,970Ohio $131,020Michigan $130,520North Carolina $127,710Vermont $127,310Indiana $126,860Wisconsin $126,760Hawaii $124,990Iowa $123,550New Hampshire $120,810South Carolina $120,310New Mexico $119,680Maine $113,120Nebraska $109,170North Dakota $106,880Kansas $106,650Louisiana $104,100Montana $103,720Idaho $103,400Oklahoma $103,060West Virginia $102,420South Dakota $102,040Kentucky $101,550Wyoming $100,130Arkansas $98,880Mississippi $91,690
Working as a Lawyer in Tennessee
Nationally, about 755,000 people work as Lawyers in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($136,180) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lawyer make in Tennessee?
The median Lawyer salary in Tennessee is $136,180 per year, or about $65.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,510 at the entry level to $324,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Lawyers about 15% less than the national median of $159,670. Tennessee ranks 20th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Lawyers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $136,180 a year. About 9,010 Lawyers are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Lawyer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.