The Nissan logo.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - An estimated 5,000 people waited in line in Murfreesboro hoping to get one of the 1,600 jobs at Nissan as the automotive manufacturer looks to ramp up hiring for a new battery plant at its Smyrna facility.

Yates Services, a maintenance contractor at the plant, held a job fair on Wednesday for part-sorting, production line and forklift positions and the response was the largest turnout for any Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce job fair.

RJ Sheer, an area manager with the labor department, told The Daily News Journal the positions will pay an average of $12.50 an hour with benefits starting after 90 days.

Sheer said people showed up as early as 4 a.m. for a chance to get their applications in.

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