Tennessee’s unemployment rate held steady last month at 3.5 percent and continues to track well below the national rate, according to the latest data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May was unchanged from the previous month. A year ago, it was 3.2 percent.
Tennessee’s unemployment rate remains below the U.S. rate, which was 4.2 percent in May. One year ago, the U.S. rate was 4 percent.
Over the past year, Tennessee employers added 16,900 nonfarm jobs. The biggest increases were in the Leisure and Hospitality, Government, and Education and Health Services sectors.
Between April and May, total nonfarm employment decreased by 1,800 jobs, with the largest declines in the Professional and Business Services sector, followed by the Financial Activities sector and the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector.
TDLWD has prepared a complete analysis of the May unemployment data. That report is available here.
Whether a recent college graduate looking for a job or an older adult wanting to update work skills, American Job Centers are available across the state to help meet employment needs.
AJCs give Tennesseans the right tools to succeed. Career specialists work one-on-one with job seekers to help them find employment, training for new career opportunities, and programs that can help remove any barriers preventing them from advancing in the workforce.
All these services and more are available at no cost to Tennesseans.
Find the AJC that is closest to you with the searchable map, which lists the address, phone number, and services offered at each AJC.
Tennessee will release the May 2025 unemployment data for all 95 counties on Thursday, June 26.