The 12 largest employers in the Knoxville area, from Dollywood to nuclear weapons

According to the data, Knoxville’s 11-county workforce is approximately 450,000 people, with approximately 256,000 workers employed in Knox County alone. latest data from the Knoxville Chamber.

From early 2024 to early 2025, the Knoxville Chamber expects the region to expand by approximately 4,735 jobsor 1.1%. This is approximately equivalent to Knox County’s annual population growth rate of second highest in Tennessee.

Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector in the Knoxville area, and the most in-demand profession is registered nurses (693 active job postings).

The latest major employer data from the Knoxville Chamber shows a diverse group of top companies. The Chamber covers 11 counties in the region with major employer data: Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Roane, Sevier and Union.

Some Knoxville-based companies, such as: Pilot and Tennessee Valley Authoritythey have a large enough workforce to be on the list. However, since most of their employees work outside the region, they do not meet this opportunity.

Here are the 12 largest employers in the region for 2023-2024. Is your company on the list?

12. Tennessee

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 3811

Last year’s position: No. 12

Change in the number of employees: 698 employees added

The state of Tennessee may be headquartered in the capital city of Nashville, but when it comes to economic development, highway patrol, planning and transportation, state government has a strong presence in the Knoxville area.

11. City of food

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 4023

Last year’s position: No. 10

Change in the number of employees: I lost 279 employees

Food City, owned under the name K-VA-T Food Stores, is a chain of grocery stores that is rapidly developing in the region. The company, based in Abingdon, Virginia, near the North Carolina-Tennessee border, operates 130 Food City stores and several others.

The company signed A Naming rights deal for $20 million over 10 years with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for Thompson-Boling Arena in 2023. The basketball and concert arena is currently called Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.

10.Dollywood

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 4500

Last year’s position: No. 9

Change in the number of employees: Without changes

This beloved entertainment company half of it belonged to Dolly Parton herselfincludes Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country in Pigeon Forge. Over the past two years, the theme park has won industry awards and placed in its own right above even Disney World in the eyes of experts.

9. Roark Capital Group

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 4608

Last year’s position: No. 11

Change in the number of employees: 735 employees added

This $37 billion Atlanta-based private equity firm is a name you’ve probably never heard. But you know the names of the brands it invests in: Arby’s, Auntie Anne’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’ Donuts, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Sonic and Subway, just to name a few.

8. DENSO

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 5000

Last year’s position: No. 8

Change in the number of employees: Without changes

This Japanese auto parts giant produces components for almost every make and model of vehicle on the road. Since 1988, when the Maryville plant opened, the company has produced electrical and safety components in the region. A has just been announced $100 million expansion in Athens, although McMinn County is outside the Knoxville area.

7. Clayton

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 5047

Last year’s position: No. 7

Change in the number of employees: Without changes

Clayton, commonly referred to as Clayton Homes, is a Maryville-based company that includes a major home manufacturing division as well as 21st Mortgage Corp. and Vanderbilt Mortgage. Since 2003, the company has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s holding company Berkshire Hathaway.

6. UT Medical Center

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 5387

Last year’s position: No. 6

Change in the number of employees: Without changes

UT Medical Center, owned and operated by the nonprofit University Health Systems, is the region’s academic medical center and largest hospital. It has expanded its presence in rural areas of the region by medical clinics offering world-class health carein some cases free of charge.

5. Walmart

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 6614

Last year’s position: No. 5

Change in the number of employees: I lost 249 employees

Walmart may be the world’s largest employer, but it is also among the top five largest employers in the Knoxville area, employing 6,234 workers at Walmart stores and 380 at Sam’s Club locations.

4. Knox County Schools

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 10118

Last year’s position: No. 3

Change in the number of employees: 71 employees added

Knox County Schools’ extensive staff serves more than 60,000 students in four preschools, 52 elementary schools, 17 middle schools and 17 high schools. In recent years, the district has focused on improving student safety and integrating new technologies in the classroom, including Artificial intelligence tools.

3. University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 11197

Last year’s position: No. 4

Change in the number of employees: 1,898 employees added

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville climbed the list after hiring a staggering 1,898 employees in the region in just one year. The flagship campus recorded a record 38,728 students this year, and university systems across the state are ready to do so exceed its 2030 enrollment targets.

This figure includes 3,437 temporary workers but does not include students. If the data included the 9,687 students studying at UT, it would easily be a major employer in the region.

2. Health Covenant

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 11963

Last year’s position: No. 2

Change in the number of employees: 50 employees added

Covenant Health operates approximately 180 hospitals and clinics throughout East Tennessee, with the largest located at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Parkwest Medical Center. The company has secured the naming rights to the new Old City baseball stadium, which will open in 2025 Covenant Health Park.

1. US Department of Energy

Total number of employees in the Knoxville area: 16975

Last year’s position: No. 1

Change in the number of employees: 800 employees added

The Department of Energy still owns most of Oak Ridge, the first planned city Manhattan Projectbut calling it the largest employer in the region is complicated. Only a few hundred people at Oak Ridge are directly employed by the DOE. The rest are employed by federal government contractors.

UT-Battelle, the nonprofit organization that runs Oak Ridge National Laboratory, employs about 6,000 people. Consolidated Nuclear Security, a federal contractor at Y-12 National Security Complexemploys approximately 8,600 people. Like Y-12 the nuclear mission is growingjust like his employees.

The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, along with cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR), employs 2,375 people.

Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter covering technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. E-mail [email protected].

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