Nashville is the most populous city in Tennessee with a metropolitan area of over 1.9 million residents. Nashville has a cost of living significantly lower than the U.S. average. Moreover, the unemployment rate is significantly less than the rest of the U.S. These economic factors have attracted many new residents to the city, making it America's 11th fastest-growing city.
Top Industries in Nashville
Nashville has a diverse economic base with three different industries dominating the economy. The top industry in Nashville is trade, transportation and utility, with professional and business services and education and health services close behind. The largest employers in Nashville are Vanderbilt University, Nissan and HCA (the world's largest private health care provider). The fastest-growing industries in the city are information technology and leisure and hospitality.
The highest-paying vocational careers in Nashville include:
Why Is Nashville Good for Trade and Vocational Students?
The state of Tennessee offers both needs-based and merit-based financial grants and loans for vocational schools in Nashville. Specific programs have been set up to help students enrolled in two-year community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT).
Among the trade schools in Nashville are:
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology is the Nashville campus of the TCAT. This campus offers degree programs and certificate programs in many fields including technical training in manufacturing technology, practical nursing and phlebotomy.
- Nashville State Community College is a technical school in Nashville with degree programs and certificate programs in accounting, logistics and information security. The school also offers programs directed to Nashville's unique role in the tourism and music industries such as hospitality management, music technology, culinary arts and retail management.
Nashville is a growing city with low unemployment and a low cost of living. Graduates from technical schools in Nashville can benefit from the strong local economy.
Our site has much more information about specific trades and the trade career options available.