Manufacturing Economy Monitor

Manufacturing in Tennessee

Manufacturing contributed $68.0B to Tennessee's economy in 2025 (11.6% of the state's GDP), ranking Tennessee #14 of 50 states and DC by manufacturing output, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Output fell 0.2% year over year (+0.0% after inflation). The state's largest manufacturing industry is food, beverage, and tobacco products ($12.5B in 2025).

Output and rank

  • Manufacturing GDP: $68.0B in 2025, #14 of 50 states and DC.
  • Share of the state economy: 11.6% of Tennessee's GDP.
  • Growth: -0.2% year over year (+0% after inflation).
  • Composition: $36.3B durable goods, $31.8B nondurable goods.

Largest manufacturing industries in Tennessee

  • Food, Beverage, and Tobacco Products: $12.5B (2025)
  • Chemical Products: $9.9B (2025)
  • Motor Vehicles and Parts: $8.2B (2025)

Frequently asked questions

  • How big is manufacturing in Tennessee? Manufacturing contributed $68.0B to Tennessee's economy in 2025, ranking #14 of 50 states and DC, per BEA state GDP data.
  • What share of Tennessee's economy is manufacturing? Manufacturing is 11.6% of Tennessee's GDP in 2025. Nationally, manufacturing averages 9.5% 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 $12.5B (2025), followed by chemical products ($9.9B) and motor vehicles and parts ($8.2B), per BEA state GDP by industry.
  • Is manufacturing in Tennessee growing? Tennessee's manufacturing GDP is down 0.2% year over year in dollar terms and up 0.0% after inflation, per the latest BEA annual data (2025).
  • Does Tennessee make more durable or nondurable goods? Durable goods lead in Tennessee: $36.3B versus $31.8B 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 2026-10-01.