Lawyers in Tennessee. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Tennessee lawyers recorded a median annual wage of $130,570 in 2024, about 13% below the US median of $149,496. The mean was higher at $155,290, which tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up considerably.
The spread from the 10th to the 75th percentile runs from $66,060 to $187,400. That is a wide range. Entry-level or public-sector roles cluster toward the lower end, while partners at larger firms or attorneys in high-demand specialties sit well above the median. The gap between where lawyers start and where they peak is among the larger ones we see across professional occupations.
Tennessee's cost-of-living index sits at 92.5, meaning prices here run about 7.5% below the national baseline. Once we account for that, the nominal 13% gap against the national median narrows to something closer to 6%. A lawyer earning the state median in Nashville or Knoxville has more purchasing power than the headline comparison suggests.
BLS projects average growth for lawyers nationally through 2034, with a rate of 4.2% over that period. Tennessee employment in this occupation stood at 8,830 in 2024.
Salary distribution
Where Tennessee lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,750 and $198,470, with a median of $136,180.
Lawyers in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $200,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $145,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $202,500 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $225,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $201,448 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Lawyers in Tennessee. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland & Knight LLP | Associate | 2 | $200,724 |
| Adams and Reese LLP | Associate Attorney | 1 | $145,000 |
| Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC | Associate | 1 | $225,000 |
| Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP | Associate Attorney | 1 | $205,000 |
| Husch Blackwell LLP | Associate Attorney | 1 | $200,000 |
| THE LAW OFFICES OF RENATA CASTRO, P.A. | Attorney | 1 | $92,500 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Associate Attorney at Husch Blackwell LLP$200,000NashvilleWage Level IDecided Jul 29, 2025I-200-25203-192966
- Attorney at THE LAW OFFICES OF RENATA CASTRO, P.A.$92,500NashvilleWage Level IDecided May 13, 2025I-200-25126-944832
- Associate Attorney at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP$205,000NashvilleWage Level IIDecided May 1, 2025I-200-25114-898915
- Associate at Holland & Knight LLP$201,448NashvilleWage Level IVDecided Apr 14, 2025I-200-25097-835970
- Associate Attorney at Adams and Reese LLP$145,000NASHVILLEWage Level IDecided Mar 26, 2025I-200-25078-788785
- Associate at Holland & Knight LLP$200,000NashvilleWage Level IIDecided Mar 14, 2025I-200-25066-755597
- Associate at Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC$225,000NashvilleWage Level IIIDecided Nov 18, 2024I-203-24313-464239
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Tennessee
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Tennessee over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Tennessee metropolitan areas.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Tennessee is $136,180.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Tennessee median is -14.5% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Tennessee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,510 and the 90th-percentile at $324,880, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.