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Tennessee unemployment drops to 4.6% in August, marking third consecutive month of falling rates

Although the unemployment rate has incrementally dropped for three months, it has still hovered near the 5% mark.

TENNESSEE, USA — Tennessee's unemployment rate for August fell slightly to 4.6% in August, dropping 0.1% compared to the month before.

It was the third consecutive month of gradual, slight drops in the unemployment rate. July's unemployment rate was reported at 4.7%, while June's unemployment rate was 4.9%.

Earnings also dropped for several workers across Tennessee, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. They brought home around $946 per week, which is $5 less than the previous month.

However, national wages increased in August. Workers brought home around $996 weekly, an increase of almost $13.

The U.S. unemployment rate also fell slightly to 5.2% in August.

Tennessee's labor force also shrunk slightly in August, falling to 3,333,062 workers. In total, the state lost around 44,000 members of its civilian labor force this month.

However, the national labor force grew in August to around 161,537,000 workers. Around 719,000 more people joined it compared to July.

Tennessee's manufacturing industry saw gains in employment, growing by almost 1%, according to a report from officials. The construction industry also grew by 2%, adding around 2,600 jobs across the state.

However, the state professional and businesses services sector shrunk by around 1% too. 

Anyone looking for jobs can apply online using the state's centralized employment portal — Jobs4TN. Officials said that more than 430,000 open positions are posted on the website from across the state. 

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