Assistant Commissioner, Business and Workforce Development
In Middle Tennessee alone, the healthcare industry contributes an overall economic benefit of nearly $46.7 billion and more than 270,000 jobs to the local economy every year according to the Nashville Health Care Council. This includes companies that provide medical services, including those that treat patients, as well as, companies that manufacture medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and equipment.
And, that’s just one of Tennessee’s three geographic regions. Our entire state is a hub of the nation’s healthcare industry, with businesses ranging from medical device companies to pharmaceutical manufacturers, managed care and national insurance providers.
In Tennessee, you will find world-renowned companies including DeRoyal Industries, Microport Orthopedics Inc., Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Medtronic, Sofamor Danek and Wright Medical Technology.
Since 2017, approximately 35 projects have been announced in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector. These projects have created 7,000+ new jobs with investment of $829 million.
Tennessee ranks second in the nation in exports of medical equipment and supplies, with a total of $4.3 billion in 2021. Our state’s exports in the sector have grown by 67 percent since 2010. Tennessee’s largest export partners in this sector include the Netherlands, China, Japan, Belgium, and Singapore, accounting for 68 percent of the sector’s exports.
Tennesseans employed by Healthcare and Life Sciences establishments in Tennessee, which includes companies involved in manufacturing or providing health-related services.
Healthcare and Life Sciences establishments in Tennessee
Exporter in the U.S. for medical equipment
Growth in employment since 2016
Employees in cluster industry sectors