Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA market rose by 634 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA unemployment rate is 32 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 10 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 3.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Unemployment March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 24,400; -500
  • Manufacturing: 20,900; -200
  • Education & Healthcare: 17,400; -100
  • Government: 16,200; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 14,600; +700
  • Business Services: 13,800; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 6,200; +100
  • Other Jobs: 5,700; +100
  • Financial Services: 3,900; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,400; no change
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.