"How long does it take to become a paralegal in Tennessee?"

"Most paths into the paralegal field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do paralegals need a license in Tennessee?"

"No statewide license is required for paralegals in Tennessee. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal), and AAfPE Certificate."

"What apprenticeships are available for paralegals in Tennessee?"

"In Tennessee, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Tennessee Department of Labor And Workforce Development - Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Paralegal in Tennessee

Q: "How much do paralegals earn in Tennessee?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paralegals in Tennessee earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,820. Employment concentration in Tennessee is roughly 0.73 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for paralegals in Tennessee?"

"Tennessee currently employs approximately 6,080 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Tennessee paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual wage of $58,820 ($28.28/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 6,080 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -6.5% below the national median of $62,890 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,820 ($28.28/hr)
25th percentile: $47,270 per year
75th percentile: $67,470 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $83,100 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $43,570 per year
Workers employed in Tennessee: 6,080
Versus national median: -6.5% below the U.S. median of $62,890
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.73 - this occupation is less concentrated in Tennessee than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Tennessee employs approximately 6,080 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,820 ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a paralegal in Tennessee, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Paralegal in Tennessee

How do I become a paralegal in Tennessee? Tennessee does not require a state license for paralegals, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Tennessee? No state license is required, but certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate are expected by most employers.

What do paralegals earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for paralegals in Tennessee is $58,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,570 and experienced professionals can earn $83,100 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Tennessee): $58,820 per year ¹

Paralegal Certification Options in Tennessee

Tennessee does not require a state license to work as a paralegal. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for paralegals include:

CP (Certified Paralegal)
AAfPE Certificate

For more information, visit the NALA - Paralegal Association ³. Contact training programs in Tennessee for details on certification preparation courses.

Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), paralegals and legal assistants wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	2,660	$60,800	$65,140	$45,780	$94,280
Memphis	1,120	$56,850	$60,700	$42,950	$84,480
Knoxville	770	$49,780	$55,750	$38,990	$75,660
Chattanooga	530	$59,290	$58,580	$38,840	$81,470
Clarksville	240	$56,010	$57,480	$38,770	$76,400
Kingsport-Bristol	200	$54,210	$56,540	$39,760	$78,370
Johnson City	120	$50,450	$50,050	$36,900	$58,870
Jackson	110	$48,970	$55,620	$38,450	$78,840
Cleveland	40	$48,640	$52,580	$37,950	$63,130
Morristown	30	$49,940	$49,390	$37,710	$60,620

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Paralegals in Tennessee

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest paralegal employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin	2,660	$60,800
Memphis	1,120	$56,850
Knoxville	770	$49,780
Chattanooga	530	$59,290
Clarksville	240	$56,010

Explore More Trades in Tennessee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paralegals in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 6,080 paralegals ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.

How much do paralegals earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in Tennessee is $58,820, which is $2,190 below the national median of $61,010 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NALA - Paralegal Association: https://www.nala.org/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)