Unemployment Rate Up Slightly In Tennessee

Tennessee Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips says the Tennessee preliminary unemployment rate for January was 6.7 percent, one-tenth of one percentage point higher than the December revised rate of 6.6 percent. The U.S. preliminary rate for January was 5.7 percent, also gaining one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month.
• Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7 percent, while the national rate declined from 6.6 percent to 5.7 percent.
• Total nonfarm employment increased 8,300 jobs from December, 2014 to January, 2015. The largest increases occurred in trade/transportation/utilities, professional/scientific/technical services, and manufacturing.
• Over the year, nonfarm employment increased 71,700 jobs. The largest increases occurred in trade/transportation/utilities, professional/business services and manufacturing.