Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Nashville, TN
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $60,800 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,033 take-home, or $4,253 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,116
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,770
- Medicare (1.45%)$882
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,033
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,780 | $22.01 | $38,964 | $3,247 |
| 25th percentile | $47,530 | $22.85 | $40,370 | $3,364 |
| Median (50th) | $60,800 | $29.23 | $51,033 | $4,253 |
| 75th percentile | $75,550 | $36.32 | $61,979 | $5,165 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,280 | $45.33 | $75,156 | $6,263 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,800 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $51,033 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,973 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant jobs are about as common in Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #17 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $92,900 | $74,185 | $66,753 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $80,500 | $62,628 | $59,205 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $81,590 | $62,262 | $57,182 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,850 | $61,232 | $56,557 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | $59,993 | $56,242 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | $58,791 | $56,087 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | $55,768 | $55,648 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $63,880 | $51,443 | $55,588 |
| 17 | Nashville, TN | $60,800 | $51,033 | $52,973 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: paralegals and legal assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Nashville, TN?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $60,800 a year, or about $29.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,530 and $75,550.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $60,800 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $51,033 a year ($4,253 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,973 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #17 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Lawyer — $142,540