Manufacturing Economy Monitor

Manufacturing in Tennessee

Manufacturing contributed $69.0B to Tennessee's economy in 2025 (11.7% of the state's GDP), ranking Tennessee #14 of 51 states and DC by manufacturing output, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Output rose 0.9% year over year (+1.7% after inflation). The state's largest manufacturing industry is food, beverage, and tobacco products ($11.9B in 2024).

Output and rank

  • Manufacturing GDP: $69.0B in 2025, #14 of 51 states and DC.
  • Share of the state economy: 11.7% of Tennessee's GDP.
  • Growth: +0.9% year over year (+1.7% after inflation).
  • Composition: $38.7B durable goods, $30.3B nondurable goods.

Largest manufacturing industries in Tennessee

  • Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products: $11.9B (2024)
  • Motor Vehicles and Parts: $11.2B (2024)
  • Chemical Products: $9.2B (2024)

Frequently asked questions

  • How big is manufacturing in Tennessee? Manufacturing contributed $69.0B to Tennessee's economy in 2025, ranking #14 of 51 states and DC, per BEA state GDP data.
  • What share of Tennessee's economy is manufacturing? Manufacturing is 11.7% of Tennessee's GDP in 2025. Nationally, manufacturing averages 9.4% of GDP, so Tennessee is more manufacturing-intensive than the country as a whole.
  • What is the largest manufacturing industry in Tennessee? Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products leads at $11.9B (2024), followed by motor vehicles and parts ($11.2B) and chemical products ($9.2B), per BEA state GDP by industry.
  • Is manufacturing in Tennessee growing? Tennessee's manufacturing GDP is up 0.9% year over year in dollar terms and up 1.7% after inflation, per the latest BEA annual data (2025).
  • Does Tennessee make more durable or nondurable goods? Durable goods lead in Tennessee: $38.7B versus $30.3B of value added in 2025.

About this data

  • Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (public domain). National quarterly values are seasonally adjusted annual rates. Corporate-profit industry detail reflects inventory valuation adjustment without capital consumption adjustment, per NIPA table 6.16D conventions.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.