Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Chattanooga, TN-GA market rose by 163 jobs in March and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • Chattanooga, TN-GA unemployment rate is 188 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 40 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 1.2% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Chattanooga, TN-GA Unemployment March 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 53,400; +400
  • Government: 36,600; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 34,600; -300
  • Manufacturing: 34,200; +300
  • Business Services: 27,900; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 24,800; +600
  • Financial Services: 22,000; no change
  • Other Jobs: 12,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 11,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 2,500; +100
Chattanooga, TN-GA Unemployment by Industry March 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.