Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you gearing up for a job search in 2026? Understanding the landscape of your local job market is crucial, especially since job opportunities can vary significantly from one city to another. What may be a breeze in one part of Tennessee could be a daunting challenge in another.
At Zippia, we’re passionate about career insights and data, so we analyzed the latest statistics to pinpoint where in 2026 it is most favorable to seek employment in Tennessee.
Here are the ten hottest job markets in Tennessee for 2026.
The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Tennessee
These cities represent the most promising job markets in Tennessee for 2026. Read on for a detailed breakdown of how we arrived at these findings. If your city isn’t listed in the top 10, continue scrolling to see its position on the complete list.
How We Determined the Best Job Markets in Tennessee
We utilized the latest data from the Census American Community Survey to analyze key Tennessee metro areas, focusing on those with a civilian workforce exceeding 5,000.
While the unemployment rate is a valuable indicator of the job market, it’s only one of many factors influencing employment opportunities. To provide a comprehensive view, we assessed multiple metrics to identify the best job markets in Tennessee.
Each metro area was ranked on a scale from 1 to 48 across four key categories:
- Unemployment Rate
- Change in Unemployment Rate
- Household Income Change
- Current Average Household Income
A lower score in each category signifies a stronger job market. For instance, Arlington achieved the lowest unemployment rate at 2.1%, securing the top position. The scores across the four categories were then averaged to create the final ranking. Thus, the final list ranks the 48 metro areas from 1 to 48, with lower scores indicating better job markets.
1. Brentwood
Unemployment Rate: 2.76%
Average Income: $211,704
2. Spring Hill
Unemployment Rate: 3.01%
Average Income: $98,668
3. Goodlettsville
Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
Average Income: $81,550
4. Arlington
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%
Average Income: $113,377
5. Hendersonville
Unemployment Rate: 4.44%
Average Income: $94,976
6. Mount Juliet
Unemployment Rate: 2.75%
Average Income: $94,802
7. Collierville
Unemployment Rate: 2.41%
Average Income: $136,807
8. Germantown
Unemployment Rate: 3.31%
Average Income: $159,915
9. Lebanon
Unemployment Rate: 5.12%
Average Income: $69,680
10. Cleveland
Unemployment Rate: 5.88%
Average Income: $68,104
Measuring the Best Job Markets in Tennessee
You might be thinking, “I live in Arlington and have been job hunting for months—this can’t be accurate!” And that’s a valid concern.
Even though Arlington and its surrounding areas boast the hottest job market in Tennessee, individual circumstances can vary widely. Factors such as education level, work experience, and specific job sectors play significant roles in employment outcomes. Nevertheless, overall, job seekers in Arlington generally experience an easier time than those in areas lower on the ranking.
Detailed List of the Hottest Job Markets in Tennessee
| Rank | Place | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brentwood | 2.76% |
| 2 | Spring Hill | 3.01% |
| 3 | Goodlettsville | 5.4% |
| 4 | Arlington | 2.1% |
| 5 | Hendersonville | 4.44% |
| 6 | Mount Juliet | 2.75% |
| 7 | Collierville | 2.41% |
| 8 | Germantown | 3.31% |
| 9 | Lebanon | 5.12% |
| 10 | Cleveland | 5.88% |
| 11 | Nashville-Davidson | 4.61% |
| 12 | Maryville | 5.48% |
| 13 | Smyrna | 5.05% |
| 14 | East Ridge | 3.88% |
| 15 | Collegedale | 3.89% |
| 16 | Red Bank | 4.74% |
| 17 | Murfreesboro | 5.47% |
| 18 | Franklin | 4.02% |
| 19 | Portland | 5.43% |
| 20 | Lakeland | 3.35% |
| 21 | Tullahoma | 5.68% |
| 22 | Gallatin | 3.58% |
| 23 | Farragut | 2.9% |
| 24 | La Vergne | 6.26% |
| 25 | Chattanooga | 6.71% |
| 26 | Sevierville | 4.27% |
| 27 | Johnson | 6.38% |
| 28 | Bartlett | 4.2% |
| 29 | Clarksville | 7.21% |
| 30 | Kingsport | 7.55% |
| 31 | Dickson | 3.15% |
| 32 | White House | 3.68% |
| 33 | Dyersburg | 9.92% |
| 34 | Oak Ridge | 6.33% |
| 35 | Soddy-Daisy | 5.88% |
| 36 | Columbia | 5.24% |
| 37 | Knoxville | 5.93% |
| 38 | Greeneville | 7.15% |
| 39 | Shelbyville | 5.91% |
| 40 | Springfield | 7.46% |
| 41 | Bristol | 7.0% |
| 42 | Elizabethton | 5.05% |
| 43 | Cookeville | 8.31% |
| 44 | Jackson | 6.15% |
| 45 | Mcminnville | 7.72% |
| 46 | Memphis | 9.28% |
| 47 | Morristown | 9.02% |
| 48 | Athens | 9.23% |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
