April Unemployment Rate 9.6 Percent

Seasonally Adjusted Rate up 0.1 from March

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for April was 9.6 percent, up 0.1 from the March rate. The national unemployment rate for April 2011 was 9.0 percent, 0.2 percentage point higher than the March rate.

“Tennessee’s unemployment rate experienced a 0.1 percentage point increase from March because of a substantial increase in the number of people looking for a job,” said Labor Commissioner Karla Davis.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

March 2011 to April 2011

According to the Business Survey, leisure and hospitality increased by 7,800 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities increased by 4,800 jobs; and administrative, support, and waste services increased by 2,400 jobs. Major employment decreases occurred in local government, down by 1,900; professional, scientific, and technical services declined by 900; healthcare and social assistance by 500, and finance and insurance declined by 500 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

April 2010 to April 2011

Year-over-year increases occurred in educational and health services, up by 8,600; trade, transportation, and utilities gained 7,300; and professional and business services was up by 5,900. Year-over-year decreases occurred in government, down by 5,500; nondurable goods manufacturing lost 1,800; and other services decreased by 900.