SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — East Tennessee
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In East Tennessee, TN the median wage is $50,640.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In East Tennessee, TN the median wage is $50,640. That is 19.5% lower than the national median of $62,890. Pay ranges from under $36,630 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,420 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,020 to $58,910.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.26 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $60,800. Of the 340 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 132nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,630 | −41.8% |
| 25th | $45,020 | −28.4% |
| Median (50th) | $50,640 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $58,910 | −6.3% |
| 90th | $76,420 | +21.5% |
| Mean | $52,680 | −16.2% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $60,800 | 2,660 | |
| 2 | Chattanooga | $59,290 | 530 | |
| 3 | Memphis | $56,850 | 1,120 | |
| 4 | Clarksville | $56,010 | 240 | |
| 5 | Kingsport | $54,210 | 200 | |
| 6 | Johnson City | $50,450 | 120 | |
| 7 | Morristown | $49,940 | 30 | |
| 8 | Knoxville | $49,780 | 770 | |
| 9 | Jackson | $48,970 | 110 | |
| 10 | Cleveland | $48,640 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $50,640 goes as far as $55,103 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,103US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,640 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,630 to $76,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $60,800.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in East Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $50,640, or $24.35 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,890, so pay in East Tennessee, TN is 19.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in East Tennessee, TN earns more than $76,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,630 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Nashville, at $60,800 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in East Tennessee, TN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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