Professional Certifications & Licenses in Tennessee
Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths in TN
Healthcare Careers in Tennessee
| Career |
License Required |
Median Salary |
Time to Complete |
Est. Cost |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) |
Yes
|
$36,750 |
3-8 weeks (training) + 1 week (application processing) |
— |
| Dental Assistant |
Yes
|
$46,090 |
Varies |
— |
| EMT |
Yes
|
$37,630 |
3-6 months |
— |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) |
Yes
|
$54,530 |
1-2 years (program) + 4-6 weeks (application processing) |
— |
| Medical Assistant |
No
|
$38,150 |
9-24 months for accredited programs; some certifications may have alternative pathways. |
— |
| Medical Coder |
No
|
$49,740 |
— |
— |
| Paramedic |
Yes
|
$37,630 |
1-2 years |
— |
| Pharmacy Technician |
Yes
|
$38,130 |
Approximately 8 weeks for registration confirmation; 2-4 weeks for background check completion. |
— |
| Phlebotomist |
No
|
$38,440 |
4-16 weeks for training program, plus a few weeks for exam |
— |
| Radiology Technologist |
Yes
|
$63,940 |
2 years |
— |
| Respiratory Therapist |
Yes
|
$65,000 |
2-4 years |
— |
| Surgical Technologist |
No
|
$56,370 |
12-24 months for education programs; certification obtained within 18 months of program completion if not certified at hire. |
— |
| Dental Hygienist |
Yes
|
$81,810 |
2-4 years |
— |
Trades Careers in Tennessee
| Career |
License Required |
Median Salary |
Time to Complete |
Est. Cost |
| CDL Truck Driver |
Yes
|
$55,610 |
3-8 weeks |
— |
| Electrician |
Yes
|
$59,190 |
— |
— |
| HVAC Technician |
Yes
|
$51,480 |
Varies |
— |
| Plumber |
Yes
|
$57,730 |
Varies |
$400 |
| Welder |
No
|
$47,280 |
Varies depending on certification type and training program (e.g., AWS CW is performance-based with no prerequisites; vocational programs can be 6-12 months). |
— |
| Barber |
Yes
|
$31,230 |
— |
— |
| Cosmetologist |
Yes
|
$29,170 |
9-12 months |
— |
| Massage Therapist |
Yes
|
$49,670 |
6-12 months |
— |
Professional Careers in Tennessee
Tennessee Certifications Ranked by Salary
| # |
Career |
Category |
Median Salary |
| 1 |
Dental Hygienist |
Healthcare |
$81,810 |
| 2 |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) |
Professional |
$75,500 |
| 3 |
Respiratory Therapist |
Healthcare |
$65,000 |
| 4 |
Radiology Technologist |
Healthcare |
$63,940 |
| 5 |
Electrician |
Trades |
$59,190 |
| 6 |
Plumber |
Trades |
$57,730 |
| 7 |
Surgical Technologist |
Healthcare |
$56,370 |
| 8 |
CDL Truck Driver |
Trades |
$55,610 |
| 9 |
Paralegal |
Professional |
$55,270 |
| 10 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) |
Healthcare |
$54,530 |
| 11 |
HVAC Technician |
Trades |
$51,480 |
| 12 |
Medical Coder |
Healthcare |
$49,740 |
| 13 |
Massage Therapist |
Trades |
$49,670 |
| 14 |
Insurance Agent |
Professional |
$49,130 |
| 15 |
Welder |
Trades |
$47,280 |
| 16 |
Dental Assistant |
Healthcare |
$46,090 |
| 17 |
Personal Trainer |
Professional |
$42,010 |
| 18 |
Phlebotomist |
Healthcare |
$38,440 |
| 19 |
Medical Assistant |
Healthcare |
$38,150 |
| 20 |
Pharmacy Technician |
Healthcare |
$38,130 |
| 21 |
EMT |
Healthcare |
$37,630 |
| 22 |
Paramedic |
Healthcare |
$37,630 |
| 23 |
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) |
Healthcare |
$36,750 |
| 24 |
Barber |
Trades |
$31,230 |
| 25 |
Cosmetologist |
Trades |
$29,170 |