Department of Numbers

Tennessee Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Tennessee fell 0.1 percentage points in March 2023 to 3.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Tennessee peaked in April 2020 at 15.8% and is now 12.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.2% in May 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see Tennessee unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.5% -0.1 -0.1
Tennessee 3.4% -0.1 +0.1

Note: All comparisons are made with March data as April state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Tennessee, National

Tennessee monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to March 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Tennessee Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Tennessee peaked in April 2020 at 504,818. There are now 390,939 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 108,999 in June 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 4,880. Tennessee job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Tennessee 113,879 -2,595 +889

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Tennessee from 1990 to March 2023

Tennessee Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Tennessee
Unemployment Rate
Tennessee
Unemployed
April 2023 3.4%
March 2023 3.5% 3.4% 113,879
February 2023 3.6% 3.5% 116,474
January 2023 3.4% 3.5% 115,667
December 2022 3.5% 3.5% 115,593
November 2022 3.6% 3.5% 116,059
October 2022 3.7% 3.5% 115,978
September 2022 3.5% 3.4% 114,211
August 2022 3.7% 3.3% 111,925
July 2022 3.5% 3.3% 109,933
June 2022 3.6% 3.2% 108,999
May 2022 3.6% 3.2% 109,470