Statistics released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) show the average hourly wage earned by Tennesseans in May increased from the same time period in 2015. The finding is part of the TDLWD Labor Market Information Unit's recent annual occupational wage and employment survey.

"We are pleased to report that the average wage for all occupations in Tennessee increased $0.30 per hour from $19.55 to $19.85 hourly," Commissioner Burns Phillips said.

The increase in the state's average hourly wage represents a yearly income of $41,296.

The latest wage and employment estimates show average hourly wages ranging from $9.60 in food preparation and serving occupations to $44.85 in legal occupations.

Tennessee's largest occupational group consists of office and administrative support with over 460,000 employees who make an average hourly wage of $16.10. Sales and related occupations have the next highest percentage of total employment in Tennessee with 278,610 positions and an annual mean wage of $34,406, or $16.55 per hour. The state's transportation and material moving occupations had 272,860 in total employment and hourly wages averaging $15.40.

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations are two of the fastest growing occupations in Tennessee and statistics show the fields have over 180,000 workers who earn an average hourly wage of $31.75.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics worked with the TDLWD Labor Market Information Unit to produce these wage statistics.

Occupational employment and wage data are available for over 800 occupations statewide and 14 sub-state areas.