Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Chattanooga, TN-GA market rose by 967 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Chattanooga, TN-GA unemployment rate is 245 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 50 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 1.5% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Chattanooga, TN-GA Unemployment February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 52,800; -100
  • Government: 35,900; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 35,000; -200
  • Manufacturing: 33,700; no change
  • Business Services: 27,300; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 24,100; +400
  • Financial Services: 22,100; -200
  • Other Jobs: 11,900; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 11,000; -100
  • IT & Development: 2,400; no change
Chattanooga, TN-GA Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.