How to Become A Personal Trainer in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 5,080 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,380 1. Nationally, personal trainer employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a personal trainer in Tennessee, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in Tennessee
How do I become a personal trainer in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR CERTIFIED TRAINERS, STATE CERTIFIED TRAINER. The licensing authority is the (No board is specified to oversee the license). You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 21 years of experience.
Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Tennessee is $47,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $26,000 and experienced professionals can earn $74,920 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: (No board is specified to oversee the license)
- Median wage (Tennessee): $47,380 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Personal Trainer License Requirements in Tennessee
The (No board is specified to oversee the license) oversees personal trainer licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR CERTIFIED TRAINERS | PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR CERTIFIED TRAINER Any individua/company who offers private investigative training for a fee must be certified by the Commission as being qualified to administer and certif… |
| STATE CERTIFIED TRAINER | STATE CERTIFIED TRAINER Any individual certified by the commissioner as qualified to administer and certify as to successful completion of the minimum training requirements prescribed for a sec… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 2,120 | $50,050 | $52,550 | $28,300 | $78,490 |
| Memphis | 1,040 | $47,560 | $46,730 | $22,500 | $75,610 |
| Knoxville | 760 | $45,990 | $44,980 | $22,640 | $63,700 |
| Chattanooga | 440 | $46,630 | $45,590 | $27,270 | $59,160 |
| Clarksville | 180 | $44,250 | $41,890 | $22,060 | $61,460 |
| Jackson | 150 | $41,260 | $42,840 | $23,040 | $64,300 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 90 | $35,750 | $39,700 | $23,390 | $61,400 |
| Cleveland | 70 | $45,250 | $43,340 | $30,590 | $47,380 |
| Johnson City | 50 | $38,880 | $41,280 | $23,390 | $65,820 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Personal trainers in Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 2,120 | $50,050 |
| Memphis | 1,040 | $47,560 |
| Knoxville | 760 | $45,990 |
| Chattanooga | 440 | $46,630 |
| Clarksville | 180 | $44,250 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 5,080 personal trainers 1. Nationally, personal trainer employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a personal trainer in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the (No board is specified to oversee the license) for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do personal trainers earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Tennessee is $47,380, which is $1,200 above the national median of $46,180 according to BLS data 1.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |