Tennessee employers added 56,000 nonfarm jobs over the past year even as the state’s unemployment rate increased last month, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November was 3.5 percent, an increase of two-tenths of a percentage point over October’s rate. The rate also was 3.5 percent in November 2023.
Earlier this year, Tennessee reported a record-low unemployment rate of 3 percent for three months in a row.
Between October and November 2024, total nonfarm employment across the state increased by 6,300 jobs.
The health care and social assistance sector accounted for the biggest gains, followed by the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, and local government.
Tennessee has added 56,000 nonfarm jobs since November 2023, the highest year-over-year jump in 2024. The largest increase was in the health care and social assistance sector. The professional, scientific, and technical services sector and the retail trade sector accounted for the next-largest increases.
TDLWD’s analysis of the November 2024 unemployment data is available
here.
Despite the increase in the unemployment rate over the past month, Tennessee’s rate is still seven-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate of 4.2 percent. The U.S. rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point over its October rate and is half of a percentage point higher than a year ago.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned employee seeking new opportunities, American Job Centers (AJCs) offer several free services to meet your employment needs. Career specialists work one-on-one with job seekers to help them find employment, training, and programs that can help remove any barriers keeping them from advancing in the workforce.
AJCs also offer free access to computers, and job seekers can attend on-site recruiting events and workshops on resume writing and interview skills. Find the nearest AJC with this interactive map.
The state of Tennessee will release November 2024 unemployment data for all 95 counties on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 1:30 p.m. CST.