april unemployment rate 5.4 percent

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for April was 5.4 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from the March revised rate of 5.5.  In 2007 the April unemployment rate was 4.5 percent.  The national unemployment rate for April 2008 was 5.0 percent, down from the March national rate of 5.1 percent.

“Tennessee’s unemployment rate is following the national trends,” said Commissioner Neeley.  “In the last month we’ve seen an increase in the leisure and hospitality industry, which is typical this time of year.  From April 2007, we’ve seen considerable losses in manufacturing while experiencing some gains in educational and health services.”

March to April gains occurred in leisure and hospitality employment, increasing by 5,300; professional and business services employment increased 1,700; and jobs in construction, natural resources and mining increased 1,600. Month-to-month declines included local government educational services, down 1,300.  Manufacturing lost 1,200 jobs, and retail trade lost 1,000 jobs.

From April 2007, educational and health services gained 8,700 jobs.  Local government employment increased by 2,100; and accommodation and food service jobs were up 2,000.  Manufacturing jobs were down from a year ago with employment decreasing by 10,700; financial activities employment lost 1,200 jobs.