Lawyer Salaries in Tennessee

$118,000 Average Salary
33% Below National Average
$105K Median
$165K Top 10%
$68K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Tennessee Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $118,000 (-33% below national)
  • Career Range: $68,079 (Entry) → $234,500 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($166K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($198K), In-House ($131K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Alabama, Kentucky ; Below Georgia, North Carolina

Nashville is booming with healthcare (HCA), entertainment, and corporate relocations. No state income tax makes Tennessee attractive. Memphis has FedEx and logistics law. Strong growth trajectory.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Tennessee

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$68,079
Median: $57K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$97,150
Median: $86K
6-10 years
Senior
$130,650
Median: $115K
10+ years
Partner
$234,500
Median: $191K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Tennessee can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $68,079, experienced partners earn $234,500 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Tennessee

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$197,650
Entry: $151K Senior: $291K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$123,950
Entry: $104K Senior: $184K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$73,700
Entry: $50K Senior: $111K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$56,950
Entry: $34K Senior: $101K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$130,650
Entry: $77K Senior: $214K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$65,660
Entry: $44K Senior: $99K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$48,240
Entry: $37K Senior: $64K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Tennessee, BigLaw pays $131,990 more than government roles ($197,650 vs $65,660). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Tennessee

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $166K Entry: $97K | Senior: $255K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $155K Entry: $101K | Senior: $268K ⚖ Antitrust Law $151K Entry: $97K | Senior: $255K 📈 Securities Law $144K Entry: $94K | Senior: $241K 🏛 Corporate Law $139K Entry: $90K | Senior: $235K © Intellectual Property $134K Entry: $84K | Senior: $214K 🏦 Banking & Finance $133K Entry: $87K | Senior: $224K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $124K Entry: $77K | Senior: $198K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $124K Entry: $77K | Senior: $198K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $119K Entry: $74K | Senior: $191K 📊 Tax Law $117K Entry: $74K | Senior: $188K ⚖ Energy Law $117K Entry: $74K | Senior: $188K 🌐 International Law $115K Entry: $70K | Senior: $184K 🎬 Entertainment Law $113K Entry: $57K | Senior: $184K ⚖ International Trade Law $113K Entry: $70K | Senior: $181K 🏥 Healthcare Law $111K Entry: $67K | Senior: $178K ⚖ Government Contracts $111K Entry: $67K | Senior: $178K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $104K Entry: $64K | Senior: $168K ⚖ Aviation Law $104K Entry: $64K | Senior: $164K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $99K Entry: $50K | Senior: $161K ⚖ Maritime Law $99K Entry: $59K | Senior: $157K 🔨 Litigation $99K Entry: $64K | Senior: $168K 👔 Employment Law $95K Entry: $59K | Senior: $154K ⚖ Sports Law $95K Entry: $50K | Senior: $157K 🏠 Real Estate $92K Entry: $57K | Senior: $147K 🏗 Construction Law $92K Entry: $55K | Senior: $147K 🌿 Environmental Law $90K Entry: $55K | Senior: $144K 🛒 Insurance Law $86K Entry: $52K | Senior: $137K 🩹 Personal Injury $84K Entry: $44K | Senior: $134K 📜 Estate Planning $72K Entry: $42K | Senior: $117K ⚖ Education Law $70K Entry: $42K | Senior: $111K 👪 Family Law $70K Entry: $39K | Senior: $111K 🚓 Criminal Law $66K Entry: $35K | Senior: $104K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $66K Entry: $44K | Senior: $99K 🧰 Workers Compensation $66K Entry: $39K | Senior: $104K ⚖ Criminal Defense $66K Entry: $35K | Senior: $104K 👴 Elder Law $62K Entry: $37K | Senior: $97K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $59K Entry: $35K | Senior: $97K 🌍 Immigration Law $58K Entry: $37K | Senior: $94K
Practice Area Comparison

In Tennessee, Patent Law lawyers earn $108,669 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($166,332 vs $57,663). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Tennessee Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 20,000+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 6 ABA Law Schools
🏛 1+ AmLaw 100 Firms
📍 Nashville Largest Legal Market
📈 90% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Tennessee

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 7.3 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $198K
4.4 yrs
In-House $131K
6.6 yrs
Government $66K
13.2 yrs PSLF eligible
At Tennessee's average salary of $118,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 7.3 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Tennessee compares to neighboring states

Tennessee Current
$118K
Georgia
$143K +21%
North Carolina
$128K +8%
Alabama
$108K -8%
Kentucky
$106K -10%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Tennessee offers a cost of living 10% below the national average, making salaries go further. Median home price: $350,000 - significantly lower than coastal states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Tennessee is $118,000, which is 33% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $68,079 for entry-level positions to $234,500 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Tennessee, with an average salary of $166,332. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $97,150, while senior attorneys can earn $254,600 or more.

First-year lawyers in Tennessee earn an average of $68,079. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $150,750+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $43,550 to $50,250.

Major BigLaw firms in Tennessee typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Tennessee is approximately $197,650, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Tennessee ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $118,000 is 33% lower than compared to Georgia ($143K), North Carolina ($128K), Alabama ($108K).

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