Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for February was 10.7 percent, unchanged from the revised January rate of 10.7 percent. The February rate a year ago was 9.6 percent. The national unemployment rate for February 2010 was 9.7 percent, unchanged from the January rate of 9.7 percent.

“The state unemployment rate continues to hold steady for the third month in a row,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “Both of our major employment surveys show net gains in employment, which is positive, but significant hiring has yet to occur.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
January 2010 to February 2010

According to the Business Survey, 3,100 job gains occurred in state government educational services; 3,000 in educational and health services; and 1,900 in professional and business services. Major employment decreases occurred in mining and construction, down by 1,800; transportation and warehousing declined by 1,400 jobs; and clothing and clothing accessories stores decreased by 1,200.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
February 2009 to February 2010

Year-over-year increases occurred in educational and health services, up by 9,300; state government gained 1,000; and real estate, rental and leasing was up by 900. Year-over-year decreases occurred in manufacturing, down by 26,200; trade transportation and utilities lost 22,500; and mining and construction decreased by 15,100.