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Paralegals who work in the Nashville, TN area earn an average annual salary that is higher than the average salary for paralegals in the state of Tennessee.
Earning an average salary that is more than that of the state average is only one benefit that paralegals have when they work in Nashville, TN.
They can achieve their goal of working in the legal field without having to spend several years in law school.
The best paralegal schools in Nashville, TN, offer students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge that they need to be successful paralegals.
Some schools offer paralegal certificate programs or degree programs that can lead to graduates becoming certified paralegals.
Current paralegals who want to open doors for new job opportunities or those who want to earn a higher salary can complete an advanced paralegal program at one of the best paralegal schools in Nashville.
Although there are not many schools that offer paralegal programs in the Nashville area, students can complete an online program and still work in Nashville as a paralegal.
Students who complete an online paralegal program have the same knowledge and skills as paralegals who complete their program in the traditional classroom setting.
They also have the same types of job opportunities available to them.
1 Nashville State Community College
Nashville State Community College offers two pathways for students to become paralegals.
The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies program and the Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate program are both approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The school requires students who want to earn the Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate to first enroll in the Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies program.
They then apply for the technical certificate program.
The technical certificate program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the two-year Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies program gain a basic understanding of substantive law and procedural law.
They complete courses that prepare them to work in entry-level positions under the direct supervision of an attorney.
Some program courses include:
- Legal Writing
- Legal Research
- Technology in the Law Office
- Civil Litigation Skills
- eDiscovery
Students complete several other required courses, one elective course, and an internship.
The school estimates that the cost of tuition and fees for this program will be about $9,490.
The one-year Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate program is strictly for students who already have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university within the U.S.
The bachelor’s degree does not have to be in a legal area.
Students complete 24 credits.
Some courses in the program include:
- Intro to Paralegal Studies
- Legal Research
- Legal Ethics and Professionalism
- Legal Writing
- Legal Internship
Students choose two other courses from several options.
The other course options include eDiscovery, Torts, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, and Family Law.
Nashville State Community College estimates that the tuition and fees for this program will cost about $4,498.
Contact Information
- Address: 120 White Bridge Pk., Nashville, TN, 37209
- Phone: 615-353-3333
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Volunteer State Community College
Gallatin, TN, is located less than 30 miles from Nashville.
It is home to Volunteer State Community College.
The school offers its self-paced Online Certified Paralegal Training program with open enrollment.
The open enrollment policy allows students to start the 12-month program at any time during the year.
The program’s $2,795 cost includes tuition and all instructional materials.
Students who complete the course will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) if they meet the other requirements.
The school provides qualified students with a voucher to cover the cost of sitting for the exam.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Online Certified Paralegal Training program at Volunteer State Community College gain the knowledge and skills that they need to work as a paralegal.
They learn how to perform legal research and how to conduct interviews.
They also learn about basic litigation skills.
Some of the courses that students complete include:
- The Paralegal in the Legal System
- Legal Interviewing
- Introduction to Law Office Administration
- Contracts, Insurance, and Property Law
- Paralegal Employment
Contact Information
- Address: 1480 Nashville Pike, Continuing Education & Economic Development, Gallatin, TN, 37066
- Phone: 615-452-8600
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University is just over 30 miles from Nashville.
The school offers a 100 percent online Certified Paralegal program.
Anyone who wants to become a paralegal can gain the knowledge and skills that they need to start their career when they enroll in this school’s self-paced program.
It has open enrollment, which means that students can start the program at any time that is convenient for them.
The 12-month program prepares students to sit for the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam that is offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
The school provides qualifying students with a voucher for the exam.
Courses Offered
The courses in the 225-clock-hour Certified Paralegal program provide students with the knowledge and skills that they need to work as entry-level paralegals.
Students also learn the soft skills that they need for a successful paralegal career.
The $2,495 program cost includes all instructional materials.
Some of the program courses include:
- Introduction to the Legal System
- Regulations of Paralegals
- Legal Research and Advanced Legal Research
- Investigation in a Law Office
- Laws Affecting Business
Contact Information
- Address: College of Continuing Education & Distance Learning, PO Box 54, Murfreesboro, TN, 37130
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Tennessee Knoxville
People who want to complete a paralegal program online rather than attend classes in person at a school in Nashville can complete a 100-percent online program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The school offers its Online Paralegal Studies Certificate program through its Center for Professional Education and Lifelong Learning department.
Students can complete the comprehensive program in just 14 weeks.
There are five start times each year.
The $3,799 cost of the program includes tuition, books, and supplies.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, also offers a completely online Advanced Paralegal and Specialty Legal program.
Students who have completed the Online Paralegal Studies Certificate program can enroll in this program at one of the six start times each year.
Students have one year to complete the program.
The cost of the program starts at $3,300, or $660 per topic.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Online Paralegal Studies Certificate program learn through asynchronous coursework.
There are also opportunities for students to learn through live virtual sessions.
The course modules include a mixture of interactive video lessons, recorded lectures, assigned reading, writing assignments, discussion boards, and individual projects.
Some topics that are covered in the curriculum include:
- Legal Terminology
- Legal Research
- Civil Litigation
- The Role of a Paralegal
- Common Technologies
Students who enroll in the Advanced Paralegal and Specialty Legal program have one year from the date that they enroll in their first course to complete the program.
Students choose six advanced paralegal courses from several options.
The school also offers several legal specialty courses for students who want to work as a paralegal in a specialty area.
Some of the advanced paralegal courses include:
- Advanced Legal Research
- Bankruptcy Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Immigration Law
- Estate Planning
Contact Information
- Address: 600 Henley St., Suite 211, Knoxville, TN, 37996
- Phone: 865-974-0150
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of Memphis
Students who enroll in the 100 percent online Certified Paralegal program at the University of Memphis can complete the program at their own pace.
They can also enroll at any time.
People who live in Nashville, or who want to work as paralegals in Nashville, can enroll in this online program.
The program provides students with the knowledge and skills that they need to work as entry-level paralegals anywhere in Tennessee.
The $2,595 cost of the program includes tuition and all instructional materials that are needed for the course.
It also includes a voucher for qualified students to sit for the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam.
Students also receive membership and access to the Certified Paralegal Exam Review courses through a partnership with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Courses Offered
The Online Certified Paralegal program at the University of Memphis includes coursework and a capstone project.
Students also complete the NALA Certified Paralegal Exam Preparation course.
Some of the courses in the program include:
- Legal Interviewing
- Litigation Case Management
- Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law
- On-the-Job Realities and Soft Skills
- Attorney and Paralegal Ethics
Contact Information
- Address: 276 Administration Bldg., Memphis, TN, 38152
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Nashville State Community College |
| #2 | Volunteer State Community College |
| #3 | Middle Tennessee State University |
| #4 | University of Tennessee Knoxville |
| #5 | University of Memphis |
Paralegal Salary in Nashville, TN
The average salary for paralegals who work in Tennessee, as of April 1, 2025, is $63,703.
The site salary.com indicates that the average salary for paralegals who work in the state ranges from $57,196 to $70,399.
The average salary for a paralegal who works in Nashville is higher than the state average.
As of April 1, 2025, paralegals who work in Nashville earn an average of $64,712.
The average salary for paralegals in Nashville ranges from $58,102 to $71,514.
One advantage that paralegals who work in Nashville, TN have is that their average salary is often higher than the average salary for paralegals who work in most other cities within the state.
One example is that the average salary for paralegals who work in Chattanooga is $61,835.
Paralegals who work in Memphis earn an average salary of $63,853, while paralegals in Gatlinburg earn an average of $62,067, as of April 1, 2025.
Paralegals who complete one of the best paralegal programs in Nashville can earn a higher salary as they gain experience.
They can also usually command a higher salary if they are certified paralegals or if they have completed an advanced paralegal program.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$38.5K |
|
$52.6K |
|
$71.8K |
Average Salary in Nashville, TN
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Nashville | $59,227 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 510 | $50,730 | $24.39 | $70,210 | $27,590 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 110 | $45,020 | $21.64 | $60,690 | $33,430 |
| Cleveland, TN | 40 | $49,520 | $23.81 | $79,630 | $28,910 |
| Jackson, TN | 100 | $47,830 | $23 | $67,780 | $29,390 |
| Johnson City, TN | 50 | $49,590 | $23.84 | $72,340 | $28,770 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 170 | $55,020 | $26.45 | $89,800 | $30,410 |
| Knoxville, TN | 680 | $53,480 | $25.71 | $78,610 | $31,420 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 1,010 | $55,000 | $26.44 | $78,150 | $35,010 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 2,300 | $59,960 | $28.83 | $85,760 | $38,530 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
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