Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.8% (660 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,830
--- Employment in 2023: 3,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $96,030
Fastest-growing jobs in Tennessee
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Tennessee. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Tennessee.
You may also like: See how popular pumpkin spice is in Tennessee
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Social and Human Service Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.1% (890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,100
--- Employment in 2023: 4,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,710
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Family Medicine Physicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.2% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,520
--- Employment in 2023: 2,080
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $229,050
DuxX // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Butchers and Meat Cutters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.3% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,280
--- Employment in 2023: 1,880
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,630
Daxiao Productions // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Marriage and Family Therapists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.6% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,590
--- Employment in 2023: 2,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,660
You may also like: Counties with the most veterans in Tennessee
Gerain0812 // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Surgical Technologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.7% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,470
--- Employment in 2023: 2,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,370
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Data Scientists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.0% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,550
--- Employment in 2023: 2,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $104,700
Undrey // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Financial and Investment Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.5% (760 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,990
--- Employment in 2023: 3,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $86,580
M2020 // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Helpers--Electricians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.6% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,570
--- Employment in 2023: 2,080
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,720
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Speech-Language Pathologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.5% (690 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,510
--- Employment in 2023: 2,820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $82,990
You may also like: Movies and TV shows casting in Tennessee
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Tutors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.6% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,890
--- Employment in 2023: 2,320
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,680
DGLimages // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.0% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,750
--- Employment in 2023: 1,400
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,020
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Chefs and Head Cooks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.5% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,720
--- Employment in 2023: 2,150
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,470
BOY ANTHONY // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.1% (770 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,610
--- Employment in 2023: 2,840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $153,920
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.9% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,070
--- Employment in 2023: 830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,380
You may also like: Hottest months in Tennessee since 1895
Victor Moussa // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Firefighters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.4% (1,480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,510
--- Employment in 2023: 5,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,300
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Electrical Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.8% (590 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,570
--- Employment in 2023: 1,980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $109,870
Nicola Forenza // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.8% (790 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,440
--- Employment in 2023: 2,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,280
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Medical Equipment Preparers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.2% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,510
--- Employment in 2023: 1,160
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,030
DGLimages // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.7% (500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,130
--- Employment in 2023: 1,630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,760
You may also like: Highest-rated scenic drives in Tennessee by visitors
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Personal Financial Advisors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.0% (1,030 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,350
--- Employment in 2023: 3,320
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $89,390
fizkes // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.4% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,220
--- Employment in 2023: 1,690
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,960
worradirek // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.4% (720 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,010
--- Employment in 2023: 2,290
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,980
Nagy-Bagoly Arpad // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.5% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,460
--- Employment in 2023: 1,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,170
Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.0% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,270
--- Employment in 2023: 1,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,940
You may also like: Coldest Januarys in Tennessee since 1895
fizkes // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Management Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.1% (3,170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 12,750
--- Employment in 2023: 9,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $97,410
fizkes // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Public Safety Telecommunicators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.8% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,780
--- Employment in 2023: 1,330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,730
Martin Smith // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Parking Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.7% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,250
--- Employment in 2023: 1,670
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,490
flywish // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +36.8% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,380
--- Employment in 2023: 1,740
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,910
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.4% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,160
--- Employment in 2023: 1,550
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,140
You may also like: Highest-rated museums in Tennessee by visitors
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.0% (2,090 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,310
--- Employment in 2023: 5,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,170
Josep Suria // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +41.2% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,090
--- Employment in 2023: 1,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,990
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +46.4% (1,790 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,650
--- Employment in 2023: 3,860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $32,320
Toa55 // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +49.0% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,430
--- Employment in 2023: 960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,060
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Mechanical Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.3% (1,280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,680
--- Employment in 2023: 2,400
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $99,330
You may also like: Highest-rated IPAs in Tennessee
Socrates471 // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Audio and Video Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +56.7% (720 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,990
--- Employment in 2023: 1,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,010
Stoyan Yotov // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +60.9% (560 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,480
--- Employment in 2023: 920
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,080
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Fundraisers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +62.5% (900 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,340
--- Employment in 2023: 1,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,170
Dusan Petkovic // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +63.7% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,310
--- Employment in 2023: 800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,100
Chok Chokchai // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +66.7% (940 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,350
--- Employment in 2023: 1,410
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,910
You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2027 football recruits from Tennessee
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +68.1% (12,880 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 31,780
--- Employment in 2023: 18,900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,630
Philip Lange // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Highway Maintenance Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +70.0% (840 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,040
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,000
Kzenon // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +71.8% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,460
--- Employment in 2023: 850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,410
Art of pixels // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +73.8% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,060
--- Employment in 2023: 610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,200
Nikita M production // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +75.9% (630 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,460
--- Employment in 2023: 830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,600
You may also like: The truth about minimum coverage requirements in Tennessee
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +76.9% (500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,150
--- Employment in 2023: 650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,460
Pixel B // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +85.5% (590 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,280
--- Employment in 2023: 690
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,930
Rawpixel.com //Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +92.8% (1,670 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,470
--- Employment in 2023: 1,800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,590
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Cooks, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +215.1% (1,850 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,710
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,350
Atstock Productions // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Telemarketers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +271.9% (1,740 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,380
--- Employment in 2023: 640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,110
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
You may also like: Most popular boy names in the 80s in Tennessee
