The Volunteer State is actually one of the best places for people looking to get paid: Tennessee employment opportunities abound, thanks to a strong business and labor climate. Memphis sits on the mighty Mississippi and has one of the nation’s largest inland ports. In the center of the state Nashville is perhaps the entertainment business capital of the US. Knoxville in the east hosts one of the region’s finest research universities, and one of the strongest economies in the whole of Appalachia. Here’s what you need to know about Tennessee employment.
Tennessee unemployment
Tennessee unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) increased from October 2008 to October 2009 by 3.6% to a rate of 10.5%
[Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Tennessee Employment Opportunities
Geography benefits Tennessee employment markets by giving the state the resources of different sections of the country. Memphis is the state’s largest city, and has adopted for itself the nickname “America’s Distribution Center.” Home to Fed Ex’s US headquarters and one of the Mississippi River’s major ports, much of the products you consume (if you live in the East or Southwest) came through Memphis on its way to you from the farms where they were grown or the factories in which they were produced.
Nashville is in the very middle of the state, and serves as the state’s capital. Government employment is a big part of the economy here, naturally, but Nashville is famous for entertainment. Dubbed by its residents “Nash Vegas,” the city is home to the headquarters of many of the US’ biggest music and entertainment companies. Every style of music is heard in the bustling clubs, bars and music venues here, and many of your favorite artists in rock, pop, country, hip hop and R&B got their start in Nashville. Tennessee employment offers you not only the chance to break into the business of managing music empires, but also tons of service industry opportunities still slinging the booze and food even in these rough times.
Knoxville is the largest city in the mountainous part of the state, and Tennessee employment benefits from the work of this young and hip community. Home to the University of Tennessee, research industry and high tech businesses have continued to thrive in “K Town” and health care is a major employer. Indeed, across Tennessee employment in health care is significant. Home to the Hospital Corporation of America (the nation’s largest private hospital chain) and hundreds of other health care companies, as well as a number of premier research hospitals (most notably Vanderbilt University’s in Nashville), Tennessee is also the US’ leading health care industry center.
Unemployment has reached the double digits in Tennessee, but many think this may be a function of the state’s explosive growth in recent years deflating a bit faster than in other places. One core sector of Tennessee employment is auto manufacturing—Volkswagon, Honda and a number of other foreign and domestic car companies maintain factories here and many of the manufacturing jobs that have been disappearing in other states have reappeared in Tennessee. With the rebirth of GM and Chrysler and the strength of foreign brands manufactured in the Volunteer State, good news is in store for Tennessee.
Tennessee Employment Resources
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the state’s unemployment insurance program, as well as its Workers’ Compensation. More than that, it helps those who need employment find it. Tennessee employment and labor conditions are monitored closely by the agency, and they offer an online job board at https://ecmats.state.tn.us/eCMATS/. One important recent duty for the TDLWD has been the administration of relief funds issued by the federal government. They have snatched millions so far, leading to hundreds of new jobs. With health care reform still expected, Tennessee employment will likely gain by virtue of its strong health care industrial sector—the TDLWD will likely be at the heart of garnering the most for Tennessee.
Another resource maintained by the Department useful for someone looking to relocate and take advantage of Tennessee employment opportunities is The Source, available at http://www.sourcetn.org/. This web site is a one stop shop for all your Tennessee employment statistics and research materials, a great resource for finding the communities that offer just what you are looking for. There are a number of large suburbs and smaller metro areas which surround universities, manufacturing concerns, ports and other employment opportunities. The Source helps you find the right spot for you.
Tennessee Employment Living Conditions
Tennessee has an income tax, however it is not levied against salaries and wages, but on financial and investment income. The state’s regulatory climate is business friendly enough to attract major employers from around the world, but strong enough to preserve the state’s natural treasures (themselves a major source of tourism and conservation jobs). It is labor which sets the Volunteer State apart; fewer unions are what have attracted manufacturers from other states. This of course means lower prevailing wages, but with one of the country’s most affordable costs of living, Tennessee is still a lucrative place to live.
As for entertainment, Memphis and Nashville are both iconic music cities, and bluegrass was invented in Knoxville. Tennessee is a conservative state in most of its values, and if you are looking for a church you’ll find ten, but casino gambling, slot machines and racetracks are available for the gaming enthusiast. For lovers of the outdoors the Appalachian Trail runs through the state, and Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the country’s most beautiful natural preserves. The summers can be hot, like much of the South, but the mountains tend to stay pleasant. Winters are cold and snowy, but hardly knee deep as in some parts of the country.
Tennessee Employment
Tennessee employment is about more than just a job, it is about living in the home to health care, home to distribution, home to entertainment and home to high tech research. These are sectors which have the strength to ride out the current economic storms. And with the US’ strongest manufacturing economy, lasting economic strength is assured in Tennessee. Tennessee employment conditions are strong, and strong people are learning what this unique state is all about everyday.
