Chattanooga Employment

Employment and Industries in the Chattanooga, Tennessee Area

The economy in Chattanooga, Tennessee is primarily based on manufacturing and service industries. Tourism is also an important component of the economy. Growing sectors include financial, professional and business services, and information.

Companies with headquarters in Chattanooga include Brach & Confections, UNUM Provident Corp., Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee, Chattam Inc., Dixie Yarns, Olan Mills, and North American Royalties. The city also includes the headquarters of Division of Power of Tennessee Valley Authority, one of the nation's largest utilities.

Employment is provided in industries that produce iron and steel products, cosmetics, processed foods, petroleum products, textiles, machinery, pharmaceuticals and furniture.

Tennessee's Fast Track Training Services Program offers financial support to new and expanding companies. The program representatives help companies put together customized training programs. In addition, Tennessee's cost of labor remains lower than many other areas in the nation.

Details regarding Chattanooga, Tennessee: Estimated median household income in 2007: $36,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 84.2. Adult population that earned a bachelor's degree or higher: 22%.

The top non-manufactures in Chattanooga:

  • Hamilton County Department of Education
  • Covenant Transport
  • Erlanger Medical Center
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
  • Memorial Hospital
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • City of Chattanooga
  • UnumProvident
  • Bi-Lo Incorporated
  • Cigna Health Care

Shown below is a list of Chattanooga's top manufactures:

  • McKee Foods Corporation
  • Synthetic Industries
  • Roper Corporation
  • Pilgrim Pride Corporation
  • Astec Industries, Incorporated
  • Invista Incorporated
  • Shaw Industries
  • Olan Mills

Some of the notable companies in Chattanooga, Tennessee:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
  • BASF
  • Plantronics
  • Access America Transport
  • Chattem
  • Alco Chemical
  • Alstom
  • Dupont
  • Krystal
  • Norfolk Southern

Chattanooga's leading nonagricultural job providing sectors:

  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Manufacturing
  • Government
  • Professional and business services
  • Educational and health services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Financial activities

Some of the organizations that offer information and help to Chattanooga businesses are:

Chattanooga Times Free Press offers details about the endeavors of the local business community.

Jobs in Chattanooga

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations251590$44,990$21.63100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations34150$37,470$18.0113.75
3Production Occupations26500$36,500$17.555.6
4Sales and Related Occupations25210$37,060$17.829.5
5Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations24740$21,630$10.48.7
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations24730$35,950$17.296.7
7Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations17330$68,390$32.885.85
8Management Occupations13300$104,050$50.036.35
9Educational Instruction and Library Occupations12400$50,440$24.256
10Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations10740$46,620$22.413.75
11Business and Financial Operations Occupations10470$65,650$31.565.35
12Healthcare Support Occupations9770$29,400$14.132.85
13Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations8430$25,620$12.323.6
14Construction and Extraction Occupations7780$44,970$21.624.6
15Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers7580$44,440$21.371.2
16Cashiers7510$21,340$10.262.2
17Fast Food and Counter Workers7190$20,360$9.792.45
18Retail Salespersons7110$29,330$14.12.7
19Registered Nurses6260$60,090$28.891.95
20Customer Service Representatives6180$36,110$17.361.75
21Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators5200$33,930$16.310.8
22Office Clerks, General4880$32,170$15.471.9
23Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand4740$29,350$14.111.8
24Computer and Mathematical Occupations4640$80,800$38.853
25Waiters and Waitresses4390$18,420$8.851.65
26Protective Service Occupations4310$40,010$19.242.2
27Personal Care and Service Occupations4200$27,650$13.294.65
28Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners4160$23,220$11.161.5
29Stockers and Order Fillers4030$29,050$13.961.25
30Architecture and Engineering Occupations3770$78,440$37.711.7
31General and Operations Managers3550$112,900$54.281.5
32First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers3330$54,690$26.30.95
33Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive3210$35,240$16.941.4
34Community and Social Service Occupations3170$44,730$21.511.75
35Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations2820$48,230$23.191.8
36Food Preparation Workers2820$19,830$9.540.5
37Nursing Assistants2700$27,200$13.080.95
38Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks2490$39,440$18.961.05
39First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers2410$43,820$21.070.95
40Home Health and Personal Care Aides2380$22,290$10.720
41Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2230$65,830$31.650.7
42Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners2030$21,140$10.160.9
43First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1980$30,650$14.740.6
44Maintenance and Repair Workers, General1960$40,500$19.470.9
45Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses1870$41,440$19.920.5
46Light Truck Drivers1860$41,760$20.080.6
47Cooks, Restaurant1800$24,960$120.9
48Medical Assistants1770$32,490$15.620.45
49First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers1740$57,100$27.450.4
50Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1650$40,680$19.560.5
51Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers1620$44,280$21.290.3
52Cooks, Fast Food1580$20,200$9.710.3
53Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel1510$65,270$31.380.7
54Receptionists and Information Clerks1500$28,300$13.610.7
55Electricians1470$54,630$26.270.45
56Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other1400$90,970$43.730.7
57Cooks, Short Order1390$25,000$12.020.1
58Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products1290$70,780$34.030.85
59Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations1260$59,970$28.830.8
60Security Guards1220$32,390$15.570.7
61Accountants and Auditors1190$66,730$32.080.9
62Construction Laborers1130$35,690$17.160.9
63Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators1120$31,960$15.370.4
64Industrial Machinery Mechanics1110$50,410$24.230.2
65Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1100$33,470$16.090.4
66Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants1070$31,270$15.030.4
67Computer Systems Analysts1050$82,800$39.810.4
68Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers1040$38,740$18.630.35
69Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products1030$68,310$32.840.2
70Financial Managers1020$112,490$54.080.4
71First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors1020$54,680$26.290.3
72Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers1000$42,960$20.650.4
73Human Resources Specialists980$54,560$26.230.4
74Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks930$47,630$22.90.2
75Childcare Workers920$21,180$10.180.7
76Packers and Packagers, Hand910$26,450$12.720.4
77Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers900$93,300$44.860.65
78Food Service Managers890$50,260$24.160.2
79Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers880$26,490$12.740.75
80Telemarketers850$24,320$11.690.1
81Tellers850$28,860$13.870.25
82Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers810$42,650$20.50.2
83Machinists810$43,350$20.840.2
84First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers800$60,180$28.930.4
85First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers800$71,470$34.360.3
86Billing and Posting Clerks790$36,590$17.590.3
87Nurse Practitioners790$100,190$48.170.1
88Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment780$24,550$11.80.3
89Medical and Health Services Managers780$106,710$51.30.3
90Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other760$63,530$30.550.2
91Pharmacy Technicians760$32,820$15.780.3
92Healthcare Social Workers740$47,720$22.940.1
93Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop730$19,570$9.410.3
94Insurance Sales Agents730$59,170$28.450.3
95Training and Development Specialists720$61,620$29.620.2
96Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists700$44,610$21.450.2
97Dishwashers690$20,830$10.010.3
98Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics680$37,250$17.910
99Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders670$30,570$14.70
100Bartenders660$22,060$10.610.4
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Chattanooga Colleges
Chattanooga colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Chattanooga Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$44,990251,590
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$37,47034,150
Production Occupations$36,50026,500
Sales and Related Occupations$37,06025,210
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$21,63024,740
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,95024,730
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$68,39017,330
Management Occupations$104,05013,300
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$50,44012,400
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,62010,740
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$65,65010,470
Healthcare Support Occupations$29,4009,770
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,6208,430
Construction and Extraction Occupations$44,9707,780
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$44,4407,580
Cashiers$21,3407,510
Fast Food and Counter Workers$20,3607,190
Retail Salespersons$29,3307,110
Registered Nurses$60,0906,260
Customer Service Representatives$36,1106,180
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,9305,200
Office Clerks, General$32,1704,880
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,3504,740
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$80,8004,640
Waiters and Waitresses$18,4204,390
Protective Service Occupations$40,0104,310
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,6504,200
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$23,2204,160
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,0504,030
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$78,4403,770
General and Operations Managers$112,9003,550
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,6903,330
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,2403,210
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,7303,170
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,2302,820
Food Preparation Workers$19,8302,820
Nursing Assistants$27,2002,700
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$39,4402,490
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,8202,410
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$22,2902,380
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$65,8302,230
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$21,1402,030
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,6501,980
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,5001,960
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$41,4401,870
Light Truck Drivers$41,7601,860
Cooks, Restaurant$24,9601,800
Medical Assistants$32,4901,770
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$57,1001,740
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$40,6801,650

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Chattanooga, Tennessee Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$44,990251,590
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$37,47034,150
Production Occupations$36,50026,500
Sales and Related Occupations$37,06025,210
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,95024,730
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$68,39017,330
Management Occupations$104,05013,300
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$50,44012,400
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,62010,740
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$65,65010,470
Healthcare Support Occupations$29,4009,770
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$25,6208,430
Construction and Extraction Occupations$44,9707,780
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$44,4407,580
Retail Salespersons$29,3307,110
Registered Nurses$60,0906,260
Customer Service Representatives$36,1106,180
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,9305,200
Office Clerks, General$32,1704,880
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,3504,740
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$80,8004,640
Protective Service Occupations$40,0104,310
Personal Care and Service Occupations$27,6504,200
Stockers and Order Fillers$29,0504,030
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$78,4403,770
General and Operations Managers$112,9003,550
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$54,6903,330
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$35,2403,210
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,7303,170
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,2302,820
Nursing Assistants$27,2002,700
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$39,4402,490
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$43,8202,410
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$65,8302,230
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,6501,980
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,5001,960
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$41,4401,870
Light Truck Drivers$41,7601,860
Medical Assistants$32,4901,770
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$57,1001,740
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$40,6801,650
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$44,2801,620
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$65,2701,510
Receptionists and Information Clerks$28,3001,500
Electricians$54,6301,470
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other$90,9701,400
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$70,7801,290
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$59,9701,260
Security Guards$32,3901,220
Accountants and Auditors$66,7301,190

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