Jobs & Employment in Tennessee

Employment, unemployment, salaries and the labor force.

Total nonfarm payroll jobs
3,367,275
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Unemployment rate
3.4%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Civilian labor force
3,460,125
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
40.3%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Average weekly earnings, private sector
$1,074
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Workers who work from home
12.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Labor force participation rate
60.0%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Labor force
3.44 M
16th in the U.S.

Historical data

Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.

Unemployment rate

1990–2024
3.4%

BLS state series.

Employment

People at work.

Total nonfarm payroll jobs
3,367,275
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Largest sector
Trade, transport & utilities
Job growth
+1.6%
2024

Total nonfarm payroll jobs

1990–2025
3,367,275▲ 53%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED TNNA).

Unemployment

Joblessness.

Unemployment rate
3.4%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Rank
11th lowest

Unemployment rate

1976–2024
3.4%

BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED TNUR).

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Unemployment rate (%)3.44.1

Labor Force

Size of the working population.

Civilian labor force
3,460,125
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Rank
16th in the U.S.

Civilian labor force

1976–2024
3,460,125▲ 86%

BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED TNLF).

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Labor force (millions)3.44168.0

Occupations

Largest job categories.

Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
40.3%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Largest occupation group
Office & administrative

Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations

2008–2024
40.3%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).

Salaries

Pay levels.

Average weekly earnings, private sector
$1,074
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Average hourly earnings, private sector
$31
2025 · BLS Current Employment Statistics
Median annual wage
$45,900
Average annual wage
$60,300
Minimum wage
$7.25 /hr
Federal floor

Average weekly earnings, private sector

2007–2025
$1,074▲ 60%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU47000000500000011).

Average hourly earnings, private sector

2007–2025
$31▲ 63%

BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU47000000500000003).

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Median annual wage (USD)4590048060
  • •Tennessee has no state minimum wage law, so the federal floor of $7.25 applies.

Remote Work

Working from home.

Workers who work from home
12.7%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Hybrid share
11%
Nashville metro remote
19%

Workers who work from home

2006–2024
12.7%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Remote workers (%)1413.8

Workforce Participation

Share of adults in the labor force.

Labor force participation rate
60.0%
2024 · BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Labor force participation
59.2%
Rank
41st in the U.S.
Women's participation
55.1%

Labor force participation rate

1976–2024
60%

BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA47).

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Participation rate (%)59.262.6

More figures

Unemployment rate
3.4%
2024
Employment
3.32 M
Labor force participation
59.2%
Median annual wage
$45,900
Minimum wage
$7.25 /hr
Federal floor — no state minimum
Remote workers
≈ 14%
Largest sector
Trade, transport & utilities