Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Chattanooga, TN-GA market rose by 2,546 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Chattanooga, TN-GA unemployment rate is 46 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 30 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 1.9% 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.3%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 54,600; -1,000
  • Manufacturing: 39,300; -300
  • Government: 37,100; -500
  • Education & Healthcare: 36,300; -500
  • Business Services: 30,900; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 27,000; -1,200
  • Financial Services: 21,100; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 13,000; -100
  • Other Jobs: 12,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 3,400; -100
Chattanooga, TN-GA Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.