How to Become a Bookkeeper in Tennessee (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Tennessee employs about 37,680 bookkeepers earning a median $48,180 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in Tennessee.

Compare Bookkeeper Schools in Tennessee

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
156.6Contact school for pricing$43,163Not reportedYes*104 mi
253.6Contact school for pricing$44,49038%Yes*160 mi
353.0Contact school for pricing$43,54449%Yes*124 mi
451.7Contact school for pricing$45,54636%Yes*73 mi
547.7$4,272 - $10,189$46,67835%Yes*142 mi
646.8Contact school for pricing$58,57528%Yes*160 mi
741.3Contact school for pricing$55,87724%Yes*150 mi
839.5Contact school for pricing$48,592Not reportedYes*36 mi
937.2Contact school for pricing$53,58353%—154 mi
1035.0Contact school for pricing$44,124Not reportedYes*150 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Tennessee employs approximately 37,680 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,180 1. The state’s concentration of bookkeeper jobs is 1.30x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in Tennessee, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school or community college
  • Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
  • Median wage (Tennessee): $48,180 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in Tennessee

How to become a Bookkeeper in Tennessee? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Tennessee.

How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in Tennessee varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do bookkeepers earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Tennessee is $48,180 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,000 and experienced professionals can earn $67,730 or more 1.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in Tennessee

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Tennessee training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in Tennessee that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in Tennessee before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin13,790$50,810$53,720$38,150$74,090
Memphis6,320$48,400$50,490$35,550$66,920
Knoxville4,510$47,320$49,040$35,160$65,090
Chattanooga2,920$46,920$48,730$34,510$64,780
Kingsport-Bristol1,170$45,670$46,530$32,710$63,570
Clarksville1,000$46,280$46,590$30,840$61,110
Johnson City870$40,700$43,470$29,650$58,990
Jackson800$45,240$46,320$31,280$62,900
Morristown420$44,040$44,680$30,470$61,740
Cleveland400$43,660$44,180$29,890$61,840

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 37,680 bookkeepers 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Tennessee.

How much do bookkeepers earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Tennessee is $48,180, which is $1,030 below the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data 1.

In Tennessee

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

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Citations

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/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)