Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for May was 10.4 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the April rate of 10.5 percent. The May 2009 rate was 10.7 percent. The national unemployment rate for May 2010 was 9.7 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the April rate of 9.9 percent.

 

“Gains from the Census jobs aside, the modest employment growth in Tennessee continues to be positive,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “The state’s unemployment rate is trending downward, and we are experiencing slightly higher monthly job growth than the national average.”

 

 

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
April 2010 to May 2010

 

According to the Business Survey, Federal Government increased by 10,100 due to the hiring of temporary Census workers. Leisure and Hospitality; added 7,200 jobs and Professional and Business Services increased by 5,200. Major employment decreases occurred in Educational and Health Services, down by 3,800 and State Government Educational Services declined by 1,600 jobs.

 

 

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
May 2009 to May 2010

 

Year-over-year increases occurred in Federal Government, up by 10,600; Administrative, Support, and Waste Services gained 9,800; and Retail Trade was up by 5,400. Year-over-year decreases occurred in Transportation and Warehousing, down by 7,200; Durable Goods Manufacturing lost 6,600; and Mining and Construction decreased by 6,500.