Personal Trainer in Tennessee

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TN. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$42,010

trending_down -9.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Tennessee.

engineering

4,280

Jobs (TN)

monitoring Surging

+11.9%

10-yr job growth

payments

$449

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies by certification (weeks to 2-4 years for a degree)

Time to complete

route How to become a personal trainer in Tennessee

To become a personal trainer in Tennessee, there is no state-level licensing body or requirement. Instead, individuals must obtain certification through a recognized private organization, such as those accredited by the NCCA (e.g., NASM, ACE, ACSM, NSCA, ISSA). Key steps include being at least 18 years old, holding a high school diploma or GED, and having current CPR/AED certification. Most certifications require continuing education every two years for renewal.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $22,350

25th percentile $28,650

50th (median) $42,010

75th percentile $51,230

90th (experienced) $66,030

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Tennessee. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Tennessee requirements

Licensing body	No state-level licensing body
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED; CPR/AED certification
Exam	N/A (certification exams are through private organizations) ($449)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. While not state-mandated, national certification (e.g., ACE, NASM, ACSM, NSCA, ISSA) is universally expected by employers. Professional liability insurance is strongly recommended.

Source: No state-level licensing body

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+11.9%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

74,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

370,100

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -2.11/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+11.9%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a personal trainer career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a personal trainer in Tennessee? expand_more

Tennessee requires personal trainers to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED; CPR/AED certification), and pass the N/A (certification exams are through private organizations).

Is a state license required for personal trainers in Tennessee? expand_more

personal trainers in Tennessee are not required to hold a state license. Note: Minimum age 18. While not state-mandated, national certification (e.g., ACE, NASM, ACSM, NSCA, ISSA) is universally expected by employers. Professional liability insurance is strongly recommended.

What is the average personal trainer salary in Tennessee? expand_more

The median personal trainer salary in Tennessee is $42,010 per year. That's 9% below the national median of $46,180. The range spans from $22,350 at the entry level to $66,030 for top earners.

What's the total cost to get personal trainer certified in Tennessee? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($449) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a personal trainer in Tennessee? expand_more

Most candidates in Tennessee complete the process in Varies by certification (weeks to 2-4 years for a degree), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What are the continuing education requirements for personal trainers in Tennessee? expand_more

License renewal in Tennessee requires completing 20.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.