Tennessee Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips announced last week the Tennessee preliminary unemployment rate for August was 4.4 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from the July revised rate of 4.3 percent. The U.S. preliminary rate for August was 4.9 percent, unchanged from the previous month.
Economic Summary
- Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 percent to 4.4 percent while the national rate declined from 5.1 percent to 4.9 percent.
- Total nonfarm employment increased 7,300 jobs from July to August. The largest increases occurred in administrative/support/waste services, mining/logging/construction & real estate/rental/leasing.
- Over the year, seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased 64,000 jobs. The largest increases occurred in education/health services, professional/business services & trade/transportation/utilities.