Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $49,050 -19.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.58
10th percentile $35,320
90th percentile $71,950
Employed locally 480
National median $61,010

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Paralegals and Legal Assistants
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,320
    25th
    $43,940
    50th (median)
    $49,050
    75th
    $61,590
    90th
    $71,950

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary vs area income 71% Median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $84,950
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,550
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Nearby metros — Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $59,980
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $50,990
    Johnson City, TN $50,170
    Morristown, TN $49,940
    Clarksville, TN-KY $49,540
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $49,100

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers$115,290
    Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$45,290
    Legal Support Workers, All Other$58,110
    Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates$102,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $23.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.17 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries?

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 19.6% below the national median of $61,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $35,320 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,940.