How Tennesseans Make a Living: A Diverse Economic Landscape

Tennessee's economy mirrors the national mix but with distinctive regional strengths. Here's how residents earn income:

1. Major Employment Sectors

• Manufacturing: Automotive (Nissan Smyrna, GM Spring Hill, VW Chattanooga), aerospace, chemicals, appliances.
• Healthcare: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, St. Jude (Memphis), major rural hospital systems.
• Transportation/Logistics: FedEx global hub (Memphis), UPS, trucking, rail (CSX, Norfolk Southern).
• Tourism & Hospitality: Great Smoky Mountains (most visited national park), Dollywood, Graceland, Nashville music scene, Civil War sites.

2. Corporate Headquarters

FedEx, AutoZone, International Paper, Dollar General, Tractor Supply, Cracker Barrel, Pilot Flying J.

3. Agriculture

Soybeans, corn, cotton, tobacco, cattle, poultry, dairy, equine industry.

4. Government & Education

State government (Nashville), military (Arnold AFB, NSA Mid-South), universities (UT, Vandy, MTSU, TSU).

5. Growing Sectors

• Tech: Nashville's "Silicon Hills" (healthcare IT, fintech)
• Film/TV: Nashville, Memphis tax incentives
• Gig/Remote: Post-COVID surge in freelance, remote work

6. Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Strong culture of local retail, food, trades, professional services. Low tax burden (no state income tax on wages) attracts founders.

From the Delta to the Smokies, Tennesseans work in globally connected industries and deeply local enterprises alike.