The CRER produces quarterly forecasts of the growth of nonfarm payroll employment in the Chattanooga MSA. Forecasts depend on the consensus forecast of the U.S. economy from the Blue Chip Economic Indicator survey.
Our new forecast is a net gain of twelve hundred jobs in the third quarter, and for growth to rise throughout 2026. Tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them have resulted in more downside risk than upside risk. Under the pessimistic scenario, the forecast for Chattanooga job growth would be positive but weak through most of 2026. Our main forecast is for a net increase of 3,100 jobs in 2025, with fairly robust job growth of 6,600 in 2026. The pessimistic forecast indicates a net gain of 2,100 jobs in 2025 and 3,800 jobs in 2026.