Lawyers Salary in Tennessee
Lawyers in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $136,180 —14.7% below the national median of $159,670. That ranks TN #20 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.57× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Highest-paying states for lawyers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $207,860 | $99.93 | 91,870 | 1.95 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $195,190 | $93.84 | 33,070 | 9.71 |
| 3 | California | $195,080 | $93.79 | 95,770 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $176,680 | $84.94 | 23,560 | 1.33 |
| 5 | Delaware | $173,510 | $83.42 | 2,920 | 1.24 |
| 6 | Colorado | $168,520 | $81.02 | 16,720 | 1.20 |
| 7 | Virginia | $167,210 | $80.39 | 18,580 | 0.93 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $163,600 | $78.66 | 8,420 | 1.02 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $161,430 | $77.61 | 23,160 | 1.11 |
| 10 | Illinois | $160,800 | $77.31 | 33,590 | 1.14 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $58,820 | $62,890 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $50,240 | $58,650 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $58,610 | $72,110 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $208,350 | $153,990 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $107,740 | $117,860 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | $75,190 | $64,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do lawyers make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for lawyers in Tennessee is $136,180, or $65.47 per hour. That is 14.7% below the national median of $159,670.
What is the entry-level lawyers salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $76,510 per year ($36.79/hour). The 25th percentile is $98,750.
How many people work as lawyers in Tennessee?
About 9,010 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 2.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for lawyers?
Tennessee ranks #20 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.57x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Which state pays lawyers the most?
New York has the highest median wage at $207,860 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($195,190) and California ($195,080).