May 2007 State Unemployment Figures

NASHVILLE - Tennessee’s unemployment rate for the month of May is 4.7 percent, up from the seasonally adjusted April 2007 rate of 4.4 percent, Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today. The national unemployment rate for May 2007 is 4.5 percent, the same as the April rate.

“In the month of May, more Tennesseans were looking for work causing the rate to increase,” said Commissioner Neeley. “College graduates and seasonal workers are beginning to show up in the data with a 0.3 percentage point increase from last month, according to the household survey.”

The April-to-May business survey shows employment increases in leisure/hospitality, up 4,600 jobs; employment in trade, transportation and utilities increased 2,400 jobs, and construction employment increased by 1,700 jobs. Seasonal month-to-month employment decreases took place in professional, scientific, and technical services, down 2,500 jobs; employment in state government educational services decreased by 2,000, and manufacturing employment decreased by 1,700.

From May 2006 to May 2007, major employment increases occurred in leisure and hospitality jobs, up by 8,200. Jobs in construction rose by 8,200 and educational and health services employment increased by 7,500. Significant employment decreases happened in manufacturing jobs, down 12,000 from a year ago. Clothing and clothing accessories stores employment decreased 1,000.