Those with jobs in Nashville got a small break as Tennessee's employment rate slightly declined. Go to http://nashville.jobing.com to find Nashville jobs.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development recently announced that the state's unemployment rate declined .2 percent, from 10.7 percent during August to 10.5 percent during September.

"Tennessee’s unemployment rate continues to show stabilization with no significant change over the last five months," Labor Commissioner James Neeley said. "Following national trends, we are seeing fewer job losses and fewer workers seeking employment."

Tennessee's September unemployment rate is significantly higher than during September 2008, when it was at 6.9 percent. It also is higher than the current national unemployment rate of 9.8 percent.

Several industries saw a month-to-month increase in employment, including: local government educational services by 9,400 jobs; professional and business services by 6,300 jobs; and state government educational services by 3,900 jobs. The retail trade industry saw a loss of 5,500 jobs, while the leisure and hospitality industry lost 4,600 jobs.

From September 2008 to September of this year, the healthcare and social assistance industry added 7,600 jobs; the local government industry added 2,800 jobs; and food services and drinking places added 1,500 jobs. The manufacturing industry decreased by 39,500 jobs; the mining and construction industry lost 28,900 jobs; and trade, transportation and utilities lost 27,900 jobs.

As a whole, the nation lost 263,000 jobs during September and the unemployment rate increased from 9.7 percent to 9.8 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest job losses were in the construction, manufacturing, retail trade and government industries.

Since the current economic recession began in December 2007, the national unemployment rate has doubled, reaching its current rate of 9.8 percent, and the number of unemployed workers has increased by 7.6 million to 15.1 million.