Last month, we highlighted the city’s fastest-growing companies. These are largely newer companies making a big name for themselves as they grow. But what about the mainstays who have a major impact on our region’s economy? We have compiled a list of ten of the largest employers in our city to give you insider information, courtesy of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce (who tracks this info).
Collectively the top 10 companies on this list create 36,251 full-time jobs and 4,804 part-time positions.
Let’s take it from the top.
1. Erlanger Health System
7,870 employees. Erlanger Health System is an academic medical center that is affiliated with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.
2. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
5,193 employees. This qualified health plan issuer is a major part of our Chattanooga ecosystem. Last year, the company ranked No. 3 on the Forbes Best Employers for Diversity + No. 390 on the Forbes Best Large Employers. It also has 61 part-time employees.
3. Hamilton County Schools
4,674 employees. The Hamilton County school district, which recently received a record Level 5 status in student academic growth, currently educates over 44,500 students. It operates 79 schools in a 576-square mile area. It employs 1,458 part-time employees.
4. Tennessee Valley Authority
3,501 employees. TVA provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving 10 million people in parts of seven Southeastern states.
5. McKee Foods Corp
3,100 employees. McKee Foods Corporation is a family-run company best known for its line of Little Debbie brand snack cakes.
6. Unum
2,800 employees. The supplemental insurance provider protects 36 million people worldwide through 193,000 employers in the U.S. + U.K.
7. Volkswagen of America
2,498 employees. Volkswagen Group of America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the largest carmaker in Europe. It operates a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga. It began production of the Passat B7 in April 2011. Earlier this year, it was announced the I.D. Crozz + Buzz all-electric vehicles would be produced at the plant in a new electric vehicle division beginning in 2022.
8. CHI Memorial Hospital
2,407 employees. CHI Memorial Hospital employees registered nurses, certified nurse assistants + medical laboratory technologists, including 864 part-time employees. It’s a not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare organization which was founded in 1952 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
9. City of Chattanooga
2,308 employees. The City of Chattanooga has many divisions, including government, arts, recreation + more. Some of the jobs for the city include admin such as accounting, marketing, etc.; the fire and police departments; city artists; city managers, the mayor; park landscapers; and more. Plus, 483 part-time employees.
10. Roper Corp.
1,900 employees. This assembly operator (technically based in LaFayette, GA) is an affiliate of GE Appliances.
