January Unemployment Rate 9.5 Percent

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Up 0.1 From December

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for January was 9.5 percent, up 0.1 from the December rate. The national unemployment rate for January 2011 was 9.0 percent, 0.4 percentage point lower than the December rate.

“Tennessee’s unemployment rate has remained stable since last July,” said Labor Commissioner Karla Davis. “Long-term employment growth is continuing, and our unemployment rate is much improved from last January’s 10.4 percent.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

December 2010 to January 2011

According to the Business Survey, transportation equipment increased by 300 jobs; machinery manufacturing increased by 200 jobs; wholesale electronic markets increased by 100 jobs; and primary metal manufacturing increased by 100 jobs. Major employment decreases occurred in trade, transportation and utilities, down by 17,300; professional and business services declined by 14,700; and leisure and hospitality declined by 10,400 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

January 2010 to January 2011

Year-over-year increases occurred in professional and business services, up by 10,900; educational and health services gained 8,600; and transportation and warehousing was up by 6,000. Year-over-year decreases occurred in nondurable goods manufacturing, down by 4,300; arts, entertainment, and recreation lost 2,300; and financial activities decreased by 1,500.