Healthcare Administration Degree Programs in Tennessee (2026)

Quick answer: Medical and Health Services Managers in Tennessee earn a median $107,120 per year, below the national median of $123,860 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The state employs about 14,160 of them. Licensing runs through your state licensing board for the setting you plan to work in.

Healthcare Administration Pay and Employment in Tennessee at a Glance

MetricTennesseeNationalSource
Median annual wage$107,120$123,860BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$71,820$73,390BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$84,200$94,700BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$144,560$166,100BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$202,060$224,340BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment14,160597,080BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient1.121.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state23.2%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Tennessee Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Tennessee median of $107,120 sits below the national median of $123,860 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 1.12 puts Tennessee slightly above the national average, so the occupation is a little more common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Tennessee

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Nashville$116,4805,510
Memphis$112,8002,310
Clarksville$105,500450
Johnson City$105,470400
Knoxville$104,2501,880
Chattanooga$102,9201,150
Jackson$100,770300
Kingsport$99,370440
Cleveland$94,780160
Morristown$82,360140

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Health administration demand follows the local hospital systems, clinic networks and long-term care operators that employ these managers.

Medical and Health Services Managers Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical and health services managers wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin5,510$116,480$136,880$71,980$221,330
Memphis2,310$112,800$133,320$72,800$196,130
Knoxville1,880$104,250$122,710$67,290$191,990
Chattanooga1,150$102,920$123,170$68,180$205,400
Clarksville450$105,500$116,150$67,100$163,130
Kingsport-Bristol440$99,370$114,560$65,230$161,280
Johnson City400$105,470$127,380$75,320$190,420
Jackson300$100,770$107,700$64,730$156,710
Cleveland160$94,780$111,740$64,560$149,990
Morristown140$82,360$99,640$58,600$153,510

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Tennessee Metro Areas With Published Data

Chattanooga * Clarksville * Cleveland * Jackson * Johnson City * Kingsport * Knoxville * Memphis * Morristown * Nashville

Licensing and Credentials in Tennessee

Most health services management roles carry no individual license. The significant exception is long-term care: nursing home administrators are licensed by state boards, with examinations administered through NAB. On the academic side, CAHME accredits graduate healthcare management programs, and undergraduate programs are covered by institutional accreditation.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state licensing board for the setting you plan to work in that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 116 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN 25.5 miles away BOC Score 91.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 93.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 189
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $101,204 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN 22.9 miles away BOC Score 62.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 119
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $63,007 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN 116.1 miles away BOC Score 55.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 69.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 117
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,701 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN 32.8 miles away BOC Score 53.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 46.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 117
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,091 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN 24.2 miles away BOC Score 52.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 54.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 18
  • Annual completions: 75
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $64,175 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Lee University

Cleveland, TN 108.0 miles away BOC Score 48.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 61.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 52
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,559 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN 102.8 miles away BOC Score 45.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 35
  • Annual completions: 103
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,282 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN 64.6 miles away BOC Score 44.5
Tuition $9,006 - $22,233
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 96.4%
  • Graduation rate: 42.3%
  • Programs offered: 15
  • Annual completions: 495
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,456 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN 97.1 miles away BOC Score 38.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 58.8%
  • Programs offered: 26
  • Annual completions: 1889
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $34,393 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN 27.3 miles away BOC Score 34.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 33.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 228
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,808 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical and health services managers make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage for medical and health services managers in Tennessee is $107,120, below the national median of $123,860 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $84,200 at the 25th percentile to $144,560 at the 75th.

How many medical and health services managers work in Tennessee?

Tennessee holds about 14,160 medical and health services manager jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 597,080, and BLS projects about 62,100 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a medical and health services manager in Tennessee?

Most health services management roles carry no individual license. The significant exception is long-term care: nursing home administrators are licensed by state boards, with examinations administered through NAB. On the academic side, CAHME accredits graduate healthcare management programs, and undergraduate programs are covered by institutional accreditation. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state licensing board for the setting you plan to work in before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a healthcare administration degree online while working in Tennessee?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state licensing board for the setting you plan to work in.

What is the highest-paying area of Tennessee for medical and health services managers?

Among Tennessee metro areas with published data, Nashville reports the highest median at $116,480 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Tennessee a good state for medical and health services managers?

On pay, the state median of $107,120 sits below the national $123,860 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.12 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Medical and Health Services Managers (SOC 11-9111), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.