(The Center Square) – Tennessee’s unemployment rate was 3.6% in August, the same as July, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The national unemployment rate is 4.3%.
Between July and August, 9,500 jobs were added in the Volunteer State. The most significant gains were in the transportation, warehousing, and utilities sector, the report said. The retail trade and construction industries also increased.
The state has added 34,400 jobs over the past year, the department said. The most growth is in the government sector, followed by professional and business services and leisure and hospitality.
The average weekly earnings for Tennesseans rose by $3.38 from $1,014.65 in July to $1,018.03 in August. Nationally, weekly earnings increased by $2.10.
Tennessee also fared better with hourly earnings, which increased by 10 cents on average between July and August. The average hourly wage is down by nine cents nationally.