Paralegal Salary in Brentwood, TN: $52,250 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Brentwood, TN earns a median $52,250/year (≈ $25.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $56,917 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Brentwood, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $52,250, significantly lower than the national median of $65,097. The salary range for paralegals in this area extends from $40,192 at the tenth percentile to $80,987 at the ninetieth percentile, highlighting the potential variance in earnings depending on specialization and experience. Data derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for local cost factors suggest that while Brentwood offers reasonable pay for paralegals, opportunities for those with a specialty in e-discovery or familiarity with tools like Relativity can lead to significantly higher compensation. Given the region's unique market demands, paralegals with specialized skills are well-positioned to command premium pay.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,192 | $19.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,289 | $20.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,250 | $25.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,235 | $31.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,987 | $38.94 |
Median Salary Position
19.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, TN, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,795 (2026 est.). At $52,250, the local median is 19.74% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Paralegal Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $52,250/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $54,145 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -19.74% less |
Paralegals in Brentwood, TN earn a median of $52,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.74% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.50% below the Tennessee state average of $54,145.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $52,250 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,917 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,529
2025 BLS Actual
$50,478
2026 Current Est.
$52,250
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,529 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,476 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,132 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,516 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,937 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,250 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $41,529 (2019) to $50,478 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,555 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,192 – $42,289 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,289 – $52,250 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,250 – $66,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,235 – $80,987 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Brentwood
Despite having only seven paralegals employed in the area, the job market in Brentwood shows signs of vitality, with a projected growth rate of 3.51% annually over the next five years. The local cost of living index stands at 91.8, indicating that Brentwood's housing and living expenses are relatively affordable compared to the national average, thus improving the overall purchasing power of paralegals. In terms of potential earnings, in-house corporate positions often provide a more balanced work-life dynamic, whereas BigLaw firms typically offer higher salaries but with more demanding hours. The disparity in pay levels is driven by varied factors such as firm size, the complexity of the legal work, required certifications, and language proficiency, with bilingual paralegals often enjoying additional pay premiums. To maximize earning potential in Brentwood, pursuing recognized credentials from the NALA or NFPA and focusing on in-demand specialties like e-discovery can be effective strategies for advancing one's career.
More salary data for Brentwood, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,478 for paralegalsin the Brentwood metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov