Thanks to music-filled cities in the central and the west and outdoor activities in the east, few other places can boast the one-two punch of living amenities as Tennessee. Plus, with the money remote workers save from having no state income tax, they’ll have more moolah to see the state’s greatest attractions. Check out these Tennessee Remote Work Resources and find the perfect virtual job in the Volunteer State.
About Tennessee
Landlocked between the Mississippi and the Appalachians, Tennessee is a slender state with a load of personality. Speaking of personality, Memphis is home to Elvis Presley and Graceland, as well as the setting of the legendary party/music mecca of Beale Street. Move farther east and you’ll run into Nashville, also known as The Country Music Capital of the World. Whether you love the modern Nashville Pop sound, honky-tonk, or old-school twang, you’ll find it in nearly every bar here regardless of the date. Near the North Carolina border, you’ll run into a few of the oddities, the most normal being Knoxville, home of the University of Tennessee and the Sunsphere. But no trip is complete without a visit to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge—two of the kitschiest tourist areas in the world.
Because of its location, Tennessee is also a foodie’s delight. Nashville hot chicken provides the perfect mix of spice and crunch that’s made best in its eponymous city. Whether you love brisket, ribs, or pulled pork, you’ll find ubiquitous barbecue joints at about every turn throughout the state. Sometimes, the hole-in-the-wall or rural locations provide the juiciest, smokiest meats you’ve ever tasted. And oddly enough—despite the fact the staple crop isn’t grown anywhere near Tennessee—banana pudding is a sweet concoction that defines the denouement of a true Tennesseean meal.
“All my ex’s live in Texas, that’s why I hang my hat in Tennessee.” – Country music star George Strait from the song “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”
Five Fast Facts About Working in Tennessee
- Tennessee is one of nine states without a personal income tax. However, the state levies a 6% “hall tax” on capital gains and interest and dividends, mostly pertaining to the stock market or mutual fund investments.
- As of May 2020, the unemployment rate in Tennessee is 11.3%—a full two percentage points below the national average.
- Tennessee is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies and 10 Fortune 1000 companies.
- According to U.S. News & World Report, 35% of Tennessee residents hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Tennessee is one of the few states that haven’t adopted a minimum wage. Therefore, the official minimum wage is the federally mandated $7.25 per hour.
Tennessee Mean Wages
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage in Tennessee is $45,650 or $21.95 per hour. Nashville is the highest-earning city with a mean wage of $49,980 per year or $23.98 per hour.
Remote Work Incentives in Tennessee
Currently, Tennessee does not offer any incentives or tax credits for remote workers. However, the state has recently allowed employees to work from home either part-time or full-time. Since the telework program launched in 2016, 6,000 of the state’s 38,000 employees immediately jumped on board. As part of the deal, each employee received a laptop computer, but they must also come into the office at least once a month. Several other local municipalities have also offered virtual work options to their employees, including Nashville and Knoxville.
Remote-Enabled Companies with Hubs in Tennessee
With 10 Fortune 500 companies and 10 Fortune 1000 companies, Tennessee is home to some of the country’s highest-earning and most profitable companies. With opportunities to work remotely without paying income tax, now is the perfect time to find an employer in the Volunteer State. Check out a few of the top remote-enabled companies with hubs or headquarters in Tennessee.
Acadia Healthcare
Located in Franklin, Tennessee, Acadia Healthcare is a healthcare provider that operates a network of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities for mental health and behavioral health disorders. Currently, the company employs 35,000 workers, including telehealth professionals.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Part of the BlueCross BlueShield family of health insurance companies, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a Nashville-based company and one of the leading providers of health insurance in the Volunteer State. Since 1945, the company has provided affordable healthcare plans for hundreds of thousands of patients throughout Tennessee.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, Brookdale Senior Living Inc. owns and operates 800 senior living communities, primarily in urban areas. The Fortune 1000 company has 50,000 employees, 100,000 clients, and earns revenue of nearly $5 billion per year.
Community Health Systems
Community Health Systems is one of the country’s largest providers of acute care (short-term care), operating 97 hospitals across 17 states. Currently, the Franklin, Tennessee, company ranks 241st on the Fortune 500 and generates revenue of $13 billion annually.
FedEx
Ranked 47th on the Fortune 500, FedEx is the country’s second-largest shipping and parcel company. In just the past year, the Memphis-based company has added over 30,000 jobs, bring their total staff to almost 390,000. The organization is also consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top companies to work for.
FirstBank
With 79 locations throughout Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky, FirstBank is one of the largest independently owned banks in the South. Aside from personal banking services, the company also provides commercial business services, mortgage lending, trusts, and investments.
HCA Healthcare
Based in Nashville, HCA (Hospital Corporation of America) Healthcare operates 184 hospitals and 2,000 healthcare facilities across 21 states. In 2020, the company reached 65th on the Fortune 500, asserting its role as one of the top healthcare providers in the United States.
LP Building Products (Louisiana-Pacific Corporation)
With 24 mills across the Americas, LP Building Products is the world’s largest producer of engineered wood products and a pioneer in the production of oriented strand board panels. The company currently employs around 5,000 employees, and it remains one of the top building supply producers on the Fortune 1000.
Unum Group
The Chattanooga-based Unum Group is a Fortune 500-listed company that is the leading provider of disability insurance in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition, the company offers accident insurance and life insurance.
Tennessee Coworking Centers for Remote Work
Also known as coworking spaces, coworking centers are facilities that provide services and amenities to virtual workers. Instead of working from home, a library, or a coffeehouse, telecommuters can use coworking centers to complete projects and enhance productivity. Each coworking space has a unique vibe based on its location, ranging from industrial chic to a more straight-lined office feel. Most spaces offer high-speed internet, a desk or dedicated office, seminars, monthly networking events, and even free coffee. If you feel as though your productivity has stagnated, get out of the house and become a member of one of these Tennessee coworking centers for remote workers.
- Society of Work (Chattanooga)
- Dstation (Chattanooga)
- The Lodge (Franklin)
- Spaces (Franklin)
- Epicenter (Memphis)
- Wonder / Cowork / Create (Memphis)
- Center 615 (Nashville)
- Three One Three Coworking (Nashville)
- e|spaces (Multiple Locations)
You’ll find even more Tennessee remote work resources and stats in our infographic below! You may also view the Tennessee Remote Work Resources Infographic as a PDF, which will allow you to access the URLs hyperlinked throughout the image as well as the links attached to the Virtual Vocations logo and social media icons.
DOWNLOAD THE TENNESSEE REMOTE WORK RESOURCES INFOGRAPHIC PDF
How Virtual Vocations Can Assist in Your Tennessee Remote Job Search
With no income tax and plenty of opportunities for remote work, Tennessee is one of the top spots for the aspiring telecommuter. If you’re searching for a way to improve your work-life balance and reach the pinnacle of your career, let Virtual Vocations help. With thousands of vetted job listings, remote work certification, career services, and a telecommute toolkit, Virtual Vocations has everything you need to get a leg up on your remote job hunt.
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