Tennessee Job Market: Top Industries, Salaries & Employers (2026)
Guide to the Tennessee job market in 2026. Healthcare, automotive, logistics, and technology industries across Nashville, Memphis, and beyond.
Tennessee has emerged as a top destination for corporate relocations and young professionals. Nashville's explosive growth — dubbed the "It City" — has attracted Amazon, Oracle, and AllianceBernstein. Memphis remains a logistics powerhouse, and Knoxville/Chattanooga offer affordable emerging markets.
Top Industries
- Healthcare: Nashville is the U.S. healthcare management capital. HCA Healthcare (HQ, $60B revenue), Community Health Systems, Envision Healthcare, and 500+ healthcare companies. 300,000+ healthcare workers statewide. Average healthcare admin salary: $72,000.
- Automotive Manufacturing: Nissan (Smyrna), GM (Spring Hill), Volkswagen (Chattanooga), and 900+ auto suppliers. Tennessee is the #1 state for automotive manufacturing employment per capita.
- Logistics: FedEx (Memphis HQ, 30,000+ employees). Memphis International Airport is the world's #1 cargo airport. Nashville's central location drives distribution growth.
- Music & Entertainment: Nashville is "Music City" — record labels, live music venues, CMT, streaming. Tourism generates $22B+ annually. Film/TV production growing with incentives.
- Technology: Nashville's tech sector grew 45% from 2020-2025. Oracle (moving HQ operations), Amazon Operations Hub (5,000 jobs), and homegrown companies like Asurion and Change Healthcare.
Major Employers
| Employer | Industry | Approx. TN Employees |
|---|---|---|
| HCA Healthcare | Healthcare | 55,000+ |
| FedEx | Logistics | 30,000+ |
| State of Tennessee | Government | 42,000+ |
| Vanderbilt University Medical | Healthcare/Education | 28,000+ |
| Nissan | Manufacturing | 12,000+ |
| Amazon | Tech/Logistics | 20,000+ |
| Walmart | Retail | 35,000+ |
Average Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Avg Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $57,840 | 102 (avg) |
| Memphis | $51,260 | 87 |
| Knoxville | $49,730 | 86 |
| Chattanooga | $49,140 | 88 |
| Clarksville | $45,870 | 83 |
Growing Sectors
- Corporate Relocations: AllianceBernstein, Amazon, Oracle, Mitsubishi, and dozens of mid-size companies have relocated to Nashville. The city added 100+ corporate HQs since 2020.
- EV Manufacturing: Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant is producing EVs. Battery and EV supply chain expanding statewide.
- Healthcare IT: Nashville's dual expertise in healthcare and tech creates a natural healthtech hub. Change Healthcare, Hologic, and numerous startups.
Remote Work Availability
Nashville ranks in the top 15 for remote job postings. No state income tax is a major draw for remote workers earning salaries from high-tax states. Gigabit internet in Chattanooga (EPB) makes it one of the best-connected cities for remote work.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Tennessee?
Tennessee has no state minimum wage — the federal minimum of $7.25/hour applies. However, major employers in Nashville and Memphis pay $12-16+ entry level due to competition.