Tennessee Unemployment

Tennessee unemployment dipped in March, thanks to what the state Department of Labor and Workforce development said is the largest monthly increase in the labor force since October 2005.

Despite the labor force’s growth by 9,700 people, unemployment only ticked downward slightly, ending March with an unemployment rate of 10.6 percent, down from the February rate of 10.7 percent.

One year ago, unemployment stood at 10.1 percent. The Tennessee rate is still above the national average of 9.7 percent.

According to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, month-over-month job gains occurred in: leisure and hospitality, up 6,600 jobs; mining and construction, up 5,200; trade, transportation and utilities, up 4,800; and administrative, support and waste services, up 4,700.

Month-over-month job losses occurred in: financial activities, down 1,000 jobs; information, down 700; and professional, scientific and technical services, down 400 jobs.

The numbers do not account for seasonal hiring trends. Seasonally-adjusted, the monthly job gain is about 5,200.