Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips announced a preliminary unemployment rate for January at 5.4 percent, increasing from the revised December rate of 5.1 percent. The U.S. preliminary rate for January is 4.8 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month.
Total nonfarm employment increased with 1,200 additional jobs from December 2016 to January 2017. The largest employment increases were within trade/transportation/utilities, leisure/hospitality, and mining/logging/construction.
"Our workforce is strengthened with increased opportunity, as international companies continue to invest in Tennessee and the advantages we offer," remarked Commissioner Phillips.
Over the year, nonfarm employment increased by 58,800 jobs. The largest increases occurred in trade/transportation/utilities, leisure/hospitality, and professional/business services.