Careers in Tennessee
Tennessee’s regional price level is below the national average (index 91.87, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).
Unemployment rate: 3.6% · Labor force participation: 59.5% · 3,370,639 people employed (2026-07, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).
Highest-Paying Careers
See full list →- 1Cardiologists$610,080
- 2Dermatologists$433,630
- 3Surgeons, All Other$373,510
- 4Obstetricians and Gynecologists$354,580
- 5Orthodontists$339,610
Largest Occupations
See full list →- 1Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand105,870 employed
- 2Fast Food and Counter Workers90,690 employed
- 3Retail Salespersons87,380 employed
- 4Registered Nurses72,200 employed
- 5Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers64,890 employed
Highest Concentration
See full list →- 1Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other8.26× national avg
- 2Woodworkers, All Other8.04× national avg
- 3Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic6.08× national avg
- 4Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other5.79× national avg
- 5Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers5.38× national avg
Best Purchasing Power
See full list →cost-of-living adjusted
- 1Cardiologists$664,069
- 2Dermatologists$472,004
- 3Surgeons, All Other$406,564
- 4Obstetricians and Gynecologists$385,958
- 5Orthodontists$369,664
Strongest Opportunity Score
See full list →- 1Musicians and Singers94.4 / 100
- 2Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners93.1 / 100
- 3Light Truck Drivers92.7 / 100
- 4Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other90.9 / 100
- 5Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90.6 / 100
Sources
Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score is a Career Atlas USA calculation — see methodology.