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.

How to Become a Paralegal in Tennessee (2026)

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 about 6,080 paralegals earning a median $58,820 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most paralegals train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Compare Paralegal Schools in Tennessee

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Itawamba Community College	63.0	$3,420 in-state / $5,820 out-of-state	$41,849	50%	Yes*	120 mi
2	Roane State Community College	59.9	$4,998 in-state / $18,630 out-of-state	$45,998	36%	Yes*	150 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Northeast Mississippi Community College	56.6	$4,470 in-state / $7,710 out-of-state	$43,163	34%	Yes*	104 mi
4	Madisonville Community College	55.9	$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state	$54,485	49%	Yes*	112 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville	52.6	$5,220 in-state / $9,090 out-of-state	$50,276	51%	Yes*	119 mi
6	Chattanooga State Community College	48.1	$4,772 in-state / $17,756 out-of-state	$48,364	26%	Yes*	124 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Gadsden State Community College	47.7	$4,272 in-state / $7,368 out-of-state	$46,678	38%	Yes*	142 mi
8	Herzing University-Birmingham	46.8	$13,450	$58,575	12%	Yes*	160 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Nashville State Community College	39.5	$4,730 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state	$48,592	18%	Yes*	36 mi
10	Southwest Tennessee Community College	35.0	$4,778 in-state / $17,750 out-of-state	$44,124	19%	Yes*	150 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

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.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (Tennessee): $58,820 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in Tennessee

How to 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? paralegal training length in Tennessee varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

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.

How to Become a Paralegal in Tennessee

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Tennessee training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved paralegal program in Tennessee that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Tennessee does not require a statewide license, earn CP (Certified Paralegal) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

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 ( 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 .

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Tennessee

Best Trade Schools in Tennessee (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Tennessee

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)