November Unemployment Rate 9.4 Percent

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Remains Unchanged From The Previous Month

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for November was 9.4 percent, unchanged from the October rate.  The national unemployment rate for November 2010 was 9.8 percent, 0.2 percentage point higher than the previous month.

“Tennessee’s economy continued to create jobs at a level sufficient to hold the unemployment rate at 9.4 percent which is still below the national average,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley.  “There was a spike of nearly 10,000 jobs in the private sector which was mostly attributable to seasonal hires in the service and retail sectors of the economy.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

October 2010 to November 2010

According to the Business Survey, retail trade increased by 5,700 jobs; professional & business services increased by 3,200 jobs; and educational and health services increased by 2,400 jobs.  Major employment decreases occurred in durable goods manufacturing, down by 1,800; wholesale trade declined by 1,400; and leisure and hospitality declined by 1,100 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

November 2009 to November 2010

Year-over-year increases occurred in professional & business services, up by 13,900; educational and health services gained 8,500; and retail trade was up by 6,500.  Year-over-year decreases occurred in government, down by 2,900; information lost 2,900 jobs; and finance & insurance decreased by 2,800.