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With a very good job outlook for many medical careers through the next few years, today is the ideal moment for anyone considering beginning a career in healthcare in Tennessee. Per the latest report issued by the Tennessee Department of Labor, Health Science professions as a group are among the state’s fastest-growing careers. Tennessee’s increase falls in line with the nationwide trend for healthcare. Undoubtedly, professional medical workers are in great demand almost everywhere. So high is the demand for medical field professionals in America, that it’s estimated by the 2018 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) that there are no less than one million unfilled jobs nationally.
 



Starting a career in healthcare in Tennessee

The 18% growth rate forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics over the next decade makes the healthcare industry the fastest-growing employer in the national labor market. This expansion is pushed by the need to accommodate the requirements of an aging population and a greater number of insured patients. Because of these conditions, there is an enormous number of job opportunities for people from all backgrounds.

The Best Healthcare Schools in Tennessee

School Name and WebsiteAddressSchool Type# of Students# of UndergradsGrad RateTransfer-Out RateNet Price
Allied Health Careers Institute1237 Commerce Park, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130-5996< 2-year, Private for-profit8888NANA$1,551
Austin Peay State University601 College St, Clarksville, Tennessee 370444-year, Public10463959138%14%$13,045
Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences1003 Monroe Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 381044-year, Private not-for-profit1075107571%NA$10,114
Belmont University1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee 37212-37574-year, Private not-for-profit8012649770%16%$35,382
Bethel University325 Cherry Ave, McKenzie, Tennessee 382014-year, Private not-for-profit5779482927%NA$14,382
Carson-Newman University1646 S Russell Ave, Jefferson City, Tennessee 377604-year, Private not-for-profit2514169046%44%$18,598
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and Technical Careers248 Northgate Mall Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 374152-year, Private for-profit27327361%1%$22,041
Chattanooga State Community College4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37406-10972-year, Public8152815216%18%$7,062
Christian Brothers University650 East Parkway South, Memphis, Tennessee 381044-year, Private not-for-profit2157179143%NA$17,023
Cleveland State Community College3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tennessee 373122-year, Public3005300519%6%$5,432
Columbia State Community College1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, Tennessee 384012-year, Public5938593828%8%$6,669
Concorde Career College-Memphis5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 132, Memphis, Tennessee 38137-01322-year, Private for-profit1420142068%NA$22,714
Cumberland University1 Cumberland Square, Lebanon, Tennessee 370874-year, Private not-for-profit2314197150%37%$23,175
Daymar College-Clarksville2691 Trenton Road, Clarksville, Tennessee 370404-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit1025102549%4%$24,502
Daymar College-Murfreesboro415 Golden Bear Court, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 371284-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit20620658%NA$20,989
Daymar College-Nashville560 Royal Parkway, Nashville, Tennessee 372144-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit23723750%3%$21,439
DeVry University-Tennessee3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Ste. 200, Nashville, Tennessee 372114-year, Private for-profit996711%22%NA
Dyersburg State Community College1510 Lake Rd, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024-24112-year, Public2843284317%21%$5,739
East Tennessee State University1276 Gilbreath Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee 376144-year, Public143531132341%24%$13,926
EduMed Partners907 Rivergate Pky., Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072-2329< 2-year, Private for-profit313197%NA$14,541
Fortis Institute-Cookeville1025 Highway 111, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501-43052-year, Private for-profit17517566%NA$18,547
Fortis Institute-Nashville3354 Perimeter Hill Drive, Suite 105, Nashville, Tennessee 372112-year, Private for-profit35335348%NA$26,956
Fountainhead College of Technology3203 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 379184-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit888844%2%$19,476
Freed-Hardeman University158 E Main St, Henderson, Tennessee 38340-23994-year, Private not-for-profit1972147155%NA$16,684
Genesis Career College-Cookeville880-A East 10th Street, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501-1907< 2-year, Private for-profit26726761%3%$14,012
Genesis Career College-Lebanon1505 Noah Court, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087< 2-year, Private for-profit11211281%NA$12,970
Hiwassee College225 Hiwassee College Drive, Madisonville, Tennessee 37354-40014-year, Private not-for-profit30230220%NA$13,071
Huntington University of Health Sciences118 Legacy View Way, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918-82304-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit166144NANA$15,244
Jackson State Community College2046 North Pky, Jackson, Tennessee 38301-37972-year, Public4746474616%21%$7,763
Johnson University7900 Johnson Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee 379984-year, Private not-for-profit115381463%NA$15,639
King University1350 King College Rd, Bristol, Tennessee 37620-26994-year, Private not-for-profit2162179952%34%$18,197
Lee University1120 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, Tennessee 373114-year, Private not-for-profit5370486052%32%$16,928
Lincoln Memorial University6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy, Harrogate, Tennessee 37752-99004-year, Private not-for-profit4770191946%NA$19,008
Lipscomb UniversityOne University Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204-39514-year, Private not-for-profit4642298759%NA$25,050
Martin Methodist College433 West Madison Street, Pulaski, Tennessee 38478-27994-year, Private not-for-profit98897734%17%$19,394
Maryville College502 E Lamar Alexander Pky, Maryville, Tennessee 37804-59074-year, Private not-for-profit1181118159%30%$18,597
Massage Institute of Memphis2076 Union Avenue, Suite 202, Memphis, Tennessee 38104-4138< 2-year, Private for-profit2525NANANA
Meharry Medical College1005 DB Todd Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 372084-year, Private not-for-profit826NANANA
Memphis Theological Seminary168 East Parkway South, Memphis, Tennessee 38104-43954-year, Private not-for-profit228NANANA
Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting1507 County Hospital Road, Nashville, Tennessee 372182-year, Private for-profit576576NANANA
Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc315 Hospital Drive, Madison, Tennessee 371154-year, Private not-for-profit249NANANA
Middle Tennessee State University1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 371324-year, Public219131952344%14%$11,916
Milligan College1 Blowers Blvd., Milligan College, Tennessee 376824-year, Private not-for-profit117185964%28%$20,546
Mind Body Institute2416 Music Valley Drive, Suite 119, Nashville, Tennessee 37214-1012< 2-year, Private for-profit373788%NA$14,720
Motlow State Community College6015 Ledford Mill Road, Tullahoma, Tennessee 373882-year, Public6594659434%11%$8,635
Nashville College of Medical Careers1556 Crestview Dr, Madison, Tennessee 37115-2120< 2-year, Private for-profit878762%NA$22,236
Nashville State Community College120 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209-45152-year, Public8197819718%11%$6,711
National College-Nashville1638 Bell Road, Nashville, Tennessee 372112-year, Private for-profit20720756%NA$21,204
Northeast State Community College2425 Hwy 75, Blountville, Tennessee 37617-02462-year, Public6088608824%5%$6,233
Pellissippi State Community College10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-09902-year, Public111681116827%5%$6,627
Pentecostal Theological Seminary900 Walker St NE, Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-33304-year, Private not-for-profit474201NANANA
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Chattanooga6397 Lee Highway, Suite 100, Chattanooga, Tennessee 374212-year, Private for-profit50050051%NA$21,102
Remington College-Memphis Campus2710 Nonconnah Blvd, Memphis, Tennessee 381324-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit69769751%NA$19,406
Remington College-Nashville Campus441 Donelson Pk Ste 150, Nashville, Tennessee 372142-year, Private not-for-profit30830848%NA$24,476
Roane State Community College276 Patton Lane, Harriman, Tennessee 377482-year, Public5626562630%16%$8,458
Ross Medical Education Center-Johnson City3021 East Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601-1526< 2-year, Private for-profit13413467%NA$18,838
Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville206 N Seven Oaks Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee 37922-2367< 2-year, Private for-profit6565NANA$19,252
South College3904 Lonas Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37909-00004-year, Private for-profit2146141039%22%$22,792
Southern Adventist University4881 Taylor Cir, Collegedale, Tennessee 37315-03704-year, Private not-for-profit3035260052%NA$21,511
Southern College of Optometry1245 Madison Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38104-22114-year, Private not-for-profit534NANANA
Southwest Tennessee Community College737 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 381032-year, Public9099909910%9%$4,964
Strayer University-Tennessee2620 Thousand Oaks Blvd Ste 1100, Memphis, Tennessee 381184-year, Private for-profit2575205233%NA$21,929
Tennessee Career Institute1412 Trotwood Avenue, Suite 1, Columbia, Tennessee 38401< 2-year, Private for-profit525260%4%$11,761
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville100 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209-45152-year, Public80680672%NA$9,712
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens1635 Technology Way, Athens, Tennessee 37371-08482-year, Public38638673%NA$4,397
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Covington1600 Hwy 51 South, Covington, Tennessee 380192-year, Public31831863%NA$5,852
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville910 Miller Avenue, Crossville, Tennessee 385552-year, Public33533571%NA$8,411
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump3070 Hwy. 64 West, Crump, Tennessee 383272-year, Public40340393%NA$5,930
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson740 Hwy 46, Dickson, Tennessee 370552-year, Public58258276%NA$10,361
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton426 Highway 91, Elizabethton, Tennessee 376432-year, Public45845869%NA$11,093
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman1745 Harriman Highway, Harriman, Tennessee 37748-58492-year, Public28128182%NA$10,426
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville716 McMurry Blvd East, Hartsville, Tennessee 37074-20282-year, Public71271257%NA$5,535
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald813 West Main, Hohenwald, Tennessee 38462-22012-year, Public57757781%1%$10,571
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro265 Elkins Rd, Jacksboro, Tennessee 377572-year, Public25625682%NA$4,643
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson2468 Technology Center Drive, Jackson, Tennessee 383012-year, Public54754790%8%$7,531
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 379192-year, Public1137113777%NA$10,007
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston740 Hi Tech Dr, Livingston, Tennessee 385702-year, Public1075107575%NA$5,412
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville241 Vo Tech Dr, McMinnville, Tennessee 371102-year, Public25825893%NA$9,752
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis550 Alabama Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-36042-year, Public84384367%3%$7,065
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown821 W Louise Ave, Morristown, Tennessee 37813-20942-year, Public67267270%NA$11,142
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro1303 Old Fort Pky, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129-33112-year, Public49149178%NA$12,057
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Newbern340 Washington St, Newbern, Tennessee 380592-year, Public41341378%NA$9,442
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville355 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, Tennessee 37756-41492-year, Public27627677%NA$6,587
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Paris312 S Wilson Street, Paris, Tennessee 382422-year, Public27127178%NA$8,270
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski1233 E College St, Pulaski, Tennessee 38478-06142-year, Public59259274%NA$7,603
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Ripley127 Industrial Drive, Ripley, Tennessee 380632-year, Public20520567%NA$5,597
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville1405 Madison St, Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160-36292-year, Public48548534%NA$10,859
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Whiteville1685 Highway 64, Whiteville, Tennessee 38075-04892-year, Public27827870%NA$9,123
Tennessee State University3500 John A. Merritt Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209-15614-year, Public8177650529%17%$10,325
Tennessee Technological University1 William L. Jones Drive, Cookeville, Tennessee 38505-00014-year, Public10504936549%29%$14,702
Tennessee Wesleyan University204 East College Street, Athens, Tennessee 373034-year, Private not-for-profit95193540%14%$12,557
The University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphis, Tennessee 381634-year, Public3199341NANANA
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403-25984-year, Public115871017645%NA$14,706
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville527 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee 379964-year, Public283212231770%NA$20,995
The University of Tennessee-Martin554 University Street, Martin, Tennessee 382384-year, Public6772633050%26%$11,034
Trevecca Nazarene University333 Murfreesboro Rd, Nashville, Tennessee 372104-year, Private not-for-profit3620221954%NA$19,480
Tusculum University60 Shiloh Road, Greeneville, Tennessee 377434-year, Private not-for-profit1767148833%NA$16,881
Union University1050 Union University Dr, Jackson, Tennessee 38305-36974-year, Private not-for-profit3377218168%25%$25,162
University of MemphisSouthern Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 381524-year, Public215211739643%13%$13,663
University of Phoenix-Tennessee616 Marriott Dr, Nashville, Tennessee 372144-year, Private for-profit20420113%NANA
Vanderbilt University2101 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 372404-year, Private not-for-profit12592688592%NA$23,295
Volunteer State Community College1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066-31882-year, Public8838883823%9%$6,133
Walters State Community College500 South Davy Crockett Parkway, Morristown, Tennessee 37813-68992-year, Public6075607526%7%$4,165

Tennessee Healthcare entry-level positions

Although many people see physicians and other professional-level occupations as average health workers, the fact is that most of the individuals employed in the field work in either nursing or Healthcare Support Occupations (74,590 in Tennessee). These supporting roles typically require an associate’s degree or less, and offer you an annual median wage ($29,290 for all Healthcare Support Occupations in Tennessee) that’s reasonably competitive for jobs that don’t demand college degrees.

In the table below, you can find training requirements and employment and salary info for 10 entry-level healthcare occupations in Tennessee.

Tennessee Healthcare CareersEmploymentHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers163030.1362660
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics704017.1135590
Pharmacy Technicians1151015.5132270
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses2400018.7138910
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians415020.0341650
Home Health Aides514010.5822000
Nursing Assistants2960012.0725090
Occupational Therapy Assistants91029.4061160
Physical Therapist Assistants282028.0258280
Dental Assistants580017.3536090
Medical Assistants1364015.1431490
Phlebotomists234014.1329400

Getting your foot in the door in TN Allied Health

Despite the possibility of finding an entry-level position without formal professional training, virtually all facilities in Tennessee would rather find candidates who hold some kind of certification. No matter your ultimate career objectives, this makes completion of a training program an essential step.

Completing professional training is frequently possible in less than one year for most healthcare support positions.
 



Find healthcare programs in TN

To find available classes for several of Tennessee’s most-popular healthcare occupations, click any of the links shown below. To learn more about any one of the highlighted careers shown, you can click on the title and read more on how you can get started in that profession.

The healthcare job market in Tennessee

The Nashville area of Tennessee is where the state’s highest concentration of healthcare employment opportunities can be found. The greater Nashville area is where you can find the state’s greatest concentration of health professionals with about 22,000 employed there.

The following list shows all of the towns and cities in the state where you can find a large number of healthcare jobs.

  • Nashville, TN
  • Memphis, TN
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Knoxville, TN
  • Jackson, TN
  • Clarksville, TN
  • Morristown, TN
  • Johnson City, TN