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 Website | Address | School Type | # of Students | # of Undergrads | Grad Rate | Transfer-Out Rate | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Careers Institute | 1237 Commerce Park, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130-5996 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 88 | 88 | NA | NA | $1,551 |
| Austin Peay State University | 601 College St, Clarksville, Tennessee 37044 | 4-year, Public | 10463 | 9591 | 38% | 14% | $13,045 |
| Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | 1003 Monroe Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38104 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1075 | 1075 | 71% | NA | $10,114 |
| Belmont University | 1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee 37212-3757 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 8012 | 6497 | 70% | 16% | $35,382 |
| Bethel University | 325 Cherry Ave, McKenzie, Tennessee 38201 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 5779 | 4829 | 27% | NA | $14,382 |
| Carson-Newman University | 1646 S Russell Ave, Jefferson City, Tennessee 37760 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2514 | 1690 | 46% | 44% | $18,598 |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and Technical Careers | 248 Northgate Mall Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37415 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 273 | 273 | 61% | 1% | $22,041 |
| Chattanooga State Community College | 4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37406-1097 | 2-year, Public | 8152 | 8152 | 16% | 18% | $7,062 |
| Christian Brothers University | 650 East Parkway South, Memphis, Tennessee 38104 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2157 | 1791 | 43% | NA | $17,023 |
| Cleveland State Community College | 3535 Adkisson Drive, Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 | 2-year, Public | 3005 | 3005 | 19% | 6% | $5,432 |
| Columbia State Community College | 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, Tennessee 38401 | 2-year, Public | 5938 | 5938 | 28% | 8% | $6,669 |
| Concorde Career College-Memphis | 5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 132, Memphis, Tennessee 38137-0132 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 1420 | 1420 | 68% | NA | $22,714 |
| Cumberland University | 1 Cumberland Square, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2314 | 1971 | 50% | 37% | $23,175 |
| Daymar College-Clarksville | 2691 Trenton Road, Clarksville, Tennessee 37040 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 1025 | 1025 | 49% | 4% | $24,502 |
| Daymar College-Murfreesboro | 415 Golden Bear Court, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37128 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 206 | 206 | 58% | NA | $20,989 |
| Daymar College-Nashville | 560 Royal Parkway, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 237 | 237 | 50% | 3% | $21,439 |
| DeVry University-Tennessee | 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Ste. 200, Nashville, Tennessee 37211 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 99 | 67 | 11% | 22% | NA |
| Dyersburg State Community College | 1510 Lake Rd, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024-2411 | 2-year, Public | 2843 | 2843 | 17% | 21% | $5,739 |
| East Tennessee State University | 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614 | 4-year, Public | 14353 | 11323 | 41% | 24% | $13,926 |
| EduMed Partners | 907 Rivergate Pky., Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072-2329 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 31 | 31 | 97% | NA | $14,541 |
| Fortis Institute-Cookeville | 1025 Highway 111, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501-4305 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 175 | 175 | 66% | NA | $18,547 |
| Fortis Institute-Nashville | 3354 Perimeter Hill Drive, Suite 105, Nashville, Tennessee 37211 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 353 | 353 | 48% | NA | $26,956 |
| Fountainhead College of Technology | 3203 Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 88 | 88 | 44% | 2% | $19,476 |
| Freed-Hardeman University | 158 E Main St, Henderson, Tennessee 38340-2399 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1972 | 1471 | 55% | NA | $16,684 |
| Genesis Career College-Cookeville | 880-A East 10th Street, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501-1907 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 267 | 267 | 61% | 3% | $14,012 |
| Genesis Career College-Lebanon | 1505 Noah Court, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 112 | 112 | 81% | NA | $12,970 |
| Hiwassee College | 225 Hiwassee College Drive, Madisonville, Tennessee 37354-4001 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 302 | 302 | 20% | NA | $13,071 |
| Huntington University of Health Sciences | 118 Legacy View Way, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918-8230 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit | 166 | 144 | NA | NA | $15,244 |
| Jackson State Community College | 2046 North Pky, Jackson, Tennessee 38301-3797 | 2-year, Public | 4746 | 4746 | 16% | 21% | $7,763 |
| Johnson University | 7900 Johnson Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee 37998 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1153 | 814 | 63% | NA | $15,639 |
| King University | 1350 King College Rd, Bristol, Tennessee 37620-2699 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 2162 | 1799 | 52% | 34% | $18,197 |
| Lee University | 1120 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 5370 | 4860 | 52% | 32% | $16,928 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | 6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy, Harrogate, Tennessee 37752-9900 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 4770 | 1919 | 46% | NA | $19,008 |
| Lipscomb University | One University Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204-3951 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 4642 | 2987 | 59% | NA | $25,050 |
| Martin Methodist College | 433 West Madison Street, Pulaski, Tennessee 38478-2799 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 988 | 977 | 34% | 17% | $19,394 |
| Maryville College | 502 E Lamar Alexander Pky, Maryville, Tennessee 37804-5907 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1181 | 1181 | 59% | 30% | $18,597 |
| Massage Institute of Memphis | 2076 Union Avenue, Suite 202, Memphis, Tennessee 38104-4138 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 25 | 25 | NA | NA | NA |
| Meharry Medical College | 1005 DB Todd Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37208 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 826 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Memphis Theological Seminary | 168 East Parkway South, Memphis, Tennessee 38104-4395 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 228 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting | 1507 County Hospital Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37218 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 576 | 576 | NA | NA | NA |
| Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc | 315 Hospital Drive, Madison, Tennessee 37115 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 249 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Middle Tennessee State University | 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132 | 4-year, Public | 21913 | 19523 | 44% | 14% | $11,916 |
| Milligan College | 1 Blowers Blvd., Milligan College, Tennessee 37682 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1171 | 859 | 64% | 28% | $20,546 |
| Mind Body Institute | 2416 Music Valley Drive, Suite 119, Nashville, Tennessee 37214-1012 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 37 | 37 | 88% | NA | $14,720 |
| Motlow State Community College | 6015 Ledford Mill Road, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388 | 2-year, Public | 6594 | 6594 | 34% | 11% | $8,635 |
| Nashville College of Medical Careers | 1556 Crestview Dr, Madison, Tennessee 37115-2120 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 87 | 87 | 62% | NA | $22,236 |
| Nashville State Community College | 120 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209-4515 | 2-year, Public | 8197 | 8197 | 18% | 11% | $6,711 |
| National College-Nashville | 1638 Bell Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37211 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 207 | 207 | 56% | NA | $21,204 |
| Northeast State Community College | 2425 Hwy 75, Blountville, Tennessee 37617-0246 | 2-year, Public | 6088 | 6088 | 24% | 5% | $6,233 |
| Pellissippi State Community College | 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990 | 2-year, Public | 11168 | 11168 | 27% | 5% | $6,627 |
| Pentecostal Theological Seminary | 900 Walker St NE, Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-3330 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 474 | 201 | NA | NA | NA |
| Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Chattanooga | 6397 Lee Highway, Suite 100, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 | 2-year, Private for-profit | 500 | 500 | 51% | NA | $21,102 |
| Remington College-Memphis Campus | 2710 Nonconnah Blvd, Memphis, Tennessee 38132 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit | 697 | 697 | 51% | NA | $19,406 |
| Remington College-Nashville Campus | 441 Donelson Pk Ste 150, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 | 2-year, Private not-for-profit | 308 | 308 | 48% | NA | $24,476 |
| Roane State Community College | 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, Tennessee 37748 | 2-year, Public | 5626 | 5626 | 30% | 16% | $8,458 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Johnson City | 3021 East Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601-1526 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 134 | 134 | 67% | NA | $18,838 |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville | 206 N Seven Oaks Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee 37922-2367 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 65 | 65 | NA | NA | $19,252 |
| South College | 3904 Lonas Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37909-0000 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 2146 | 1410 | 39% | 22% | $22,792 |
| Southern Adventist University | 4881 Taylor Cir, Collegedale, Tennessee 37315-0370 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 3035 | 2600 | 52% | NA | $21,511 |
| Southern College of Optometry | 1245 Madison Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38104-2211 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 534 | NA | NA | NA | |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | 737 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103 | 2-year, Public | 9099 | 9099 | 10% | 9% | $4,964 |
| Strayer University-Tennessee | 2620 Thousand Oaks Blvd Ste 1100, Memphis, Tennessee 38118 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 2575 | 2052 | 33% | NA | $21,929 |
| Tennessee Career Institute | 1412 Trotwood Avenue, Suite 1, Columbia, Tennessee 38401 | < 2-year, Private for-profit | 52 | 52 | 60% | 4% | $11,761 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville | 100 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209-4515 | 2-year, Public | 806 | 806 | 72% | NA | $9,712 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Athens | 1635 Technology Way, Athens, Tennessee 37371-0848 | 2-year, Public | 386 | 386 | 73% | NA | $4,397 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Covington | 1600 Hwy 51 South, Covington, Tennessee 38019 | 2-year, Public | 318 | 318 | 63% | NA | $5,852 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville | 910 Miller Avenue, Crossville, Tennessee 38555 | 2-year, Public | 335 | 335 | 71% | NA | $8,411 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump | 3070 Hwy. 64 West, Crump, Tennessee 38327 | 2-year, Public | 403 | 403 | 93% | NA | $5,930 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson | 740 Hwy 46, Dickson, Tennessee 37055 | 2-year, Public | 582 | 582 | 76% | NA | $10,361 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | 426 Highway 91, Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643 | 2-year, Public | 458 | 458 | 69% | NA | $11,093 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman | 1745 Harriman Highway, Harriman, Tennessee 37748-5849 | 2-year, Public | 281 | 281 | 82% | NA | $10,426 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville | 716 McMurry Blvd East, Hartsville, Tennessee 37074-2028 | 2-year, Public | 712 | 712 | 57% | NA | $5,535 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald | 813 West Main, Hohenwald, Tennessee 38462-2201 | 2-year, Public | 577 | 577 | 81% | 1% | $10,571 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro | 265 Elkins Rd, Jacksboro, Tennessee 37757 | 2-year, Public | 256 | 256 | 82% | NA | $4,643 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson | 2468 Technology Center Drive, Jackson, Tennessee 38301 | 2-year, Public | 547 | 547 | 90% | 8% | $7,531 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville | 1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 | 2-year, Public | 1137 | 1137 | 77% | NA | $10,007 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston | 740 Hi Tech Dr, Livingston, Tennessee 38570 | 2-year, Public | 1075 | 1075 | 75% | NA | $5,412 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville | 241 Vo Tech Dr, McMinnville, Tennessee 37110 | 2-year, Public | 258 | 258 | 93% | NA | $9,752 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis | 550 Alabama Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-3604 | 2-year, Public | 843 | 843 | 67% | 3% | $7,065 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown | 821 W Louise Ave, Morristown, Tennessee 37813-2094 | 2-year, Public | 672 | 672 | 70% | NA | $11,142 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro | 1303 Old Fort Pky, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129-3311 | 2-year, Public | 491 | 491 | 78% | NA | $12,057 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Newbern | 340 Washington St, Newbern, Tennessee 38059 | 2-year, Public | 413 | 413 | 78% | NA | $9,442 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville | 355 Scott High Drive, Huntsville, Tennessee 37756-4149 | 2-year, Public | 276 | 276 | 77% | NA | $6,587 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Paris | 312 S Wilson Street, Paris, Tennessee 38242 | 2-year, Public | 271 | 271 | 78% | NA | $8,270 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski | 1233 E College St, Pulaski, Tennessee 38478-0614 | 2-year, Public | 592 | 592 | 74% | NA | $7,603 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Ripley | 127 Industrial Drive, Ripley, Tennessee 38063 | 2-year, Public | 205 | 205 | 67% | NA | $5,597 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville | 1405 Madison St, Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160-3629 | 2-year, Public | 485 | 485 | 34% | NA | $10,859 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Whiteville | 1685 Highway 64, Whiteville, Tennessee 38075-0489 | 2-year, Public | 278 | 278 | 70% | NA | $9,123 |
| Tennessee State University | 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee 37209-1561 | 4-year, Public | 8177 | 6505 | 29% | 17% | $10,325 |
| Tennessee Technological University | 1 William L. Jones Drive, Cookeville, Tennessee 38505-0001 | 4-year, Public | 10504 | 9365 | 49% | 29% | $14,702 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | 204 East College Street, Athens, Tennessee 37303 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 951 | 935 | 40% | 14% | $12,557 |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center | Memphis, Tennessee 38163 | 4-year, Public | 3199 | 341 | NA | NA | NA |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403-2598 | 4-year, Public | 11587 | 10176 | 45% | NA | $14,706 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 527 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 | 4-year, Public | 28321 | 22317 | 70% | NA | $20,995 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | 554 University Street, Martin, Tennessee 38238 | 4-year, Public | 6772 | 6330 | 50% | 26% | $11,034 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | 333 Murfreesboro Rd, Nashville, Tennessee 37210 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 3620 | 2219 | 54% | NA | $19,480 |
| Tusculum University | 60 Shiloh Road, Greeneville, Tennessee 37743 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 1767 | 1488 | 33% | NA | $16,881 |
| Union University | 1050 Union University Dr, Jackson, Tennessee 38305-3697 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 3377 | 2181 | 68% | 25% | $25,162 |
| University of Memphis | Southern Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38152 | 4-year, Public | 21521 | 17396 | 43% | 13% | $13,663 |
| University of Phoenix-Tennessee | 616 Marriott Dr, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 | 4-year, Private for-profit | 204 | 201 | 13% | NA | NA |
| Vanderbilt University | 2101 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37240 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | 12592 | 6885 | 92% | NA | $23,295 |
| Volunteer State Community College | 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066-3188 | 2-year, Public | 8838 | 8838 | 23% | 9% | $6,133 |
| Walters State Community College | 500 South Davy Crockett Parkway, Morristown, Tennessee 37813-6899 | 2-year, Public | 6075 | 6075 | 26% | 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 Careers | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 1630 | 30.13 | 62660 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 7040 | 17.11 | 35590 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 11510 | 15.51 | 32270 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 24000 | 18.71 | 38910 |
| Medical Records and Health Information Technicians | 4150 | 20.03 | 41650 |
| Home Health Aides | 5140 | 10.58 | 22000 |
| Nursing Assistants | 29600 | 12.07 | 25090 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 910 | 29.40 | 61160 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 2820 | 28.02 | 58280 |
| Dental Assistants | 5800 | 17.35 | 36090 |
| Medical Assistants | 13640 | 15.14 | 31490 |
| Phlebotomists | 2340 | 14.13 | 29400 |
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.
- CNA training in Tennessee
- Dental assistant courses in Tennessee
- EMT school in Tennessee
- HHA certification in Tennessee
- LPN classes in Tennessee
- Medical assistant schools in Tennessee
- Medical billing & coding classes in Tennessee
- Pharmacy technician courses in Tennessee
- Phlebotomy classes in Tennessee
- Ultrasound technician training in Tennessee
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