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Memphis offers a diverse, metropolitan workforce at wage rates that are lower than most other parts of the country. The region is home to a host of world-class higher education institutions, the largest community college in Tennessee, a number of public and private vocational and technical training facilities and a long list of quality public and private school systems. Over the past three decades, the presence of companies like FedEx and the region’s superior distribution infrastructure have earned Memphis the title, “America’s Distribution Center.” During the same period the region’s workforce has a higher percentage of logistics workers than any other metropolitan area in the country.
Did you know:
- Tennessee is a right to work state.
- The median age of the Memphis workforce is 35.
- Memphis has a large concentration of corporate offices, logistics and life science employees.
- Memphis offers exceptional universities, community colleges and vocational/technical schools with tailored programs for industry.
Workforce Depth + Breadth
Not only does Memphis draw from a three-state labor pool, employment ranges across the spectrum of industries. Employment is relatively balanced among industries giving the Memphis workforce breadth in both skills and experience.
- Civilian Labor Force - 611,743
- Total Employment - 550,640
- Unemployed - 61,103
- Unemployment Rate - 10.0%
Workforce Training: Memphis-Area Colleges & Universities
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Labor Data Tool
Real-time Workforce Information
The Greater Memphis Chamber recently conducted a regional workforce analysis designed to assist businesses finding the qualified workers they need. This exhaustive study included interviews with 3,600 workers, 365 employer surveys, interviews with 65 key workforce influencers and five focus groups with community representatives.
The data delivery system allows users to develop custom reports from the wealth of data that has been collected through the workforce analysis process. Reports can be developed for sub-sets of counties within the region and for individual counties. The data is GIS based-allowing the user to create custom labor profiles within a radius of a specific site or employer. Click here to use the labor data tool.
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Memphis Workforce Assets
Huge Hidden Potential Workforce
- Underemployed 135,367
- Not Employed, Wanting Work 355,350
- Recent College Graduates 14,500
- Total Hidden Labor Supply 532,090
Large Percentage of Employed & Unemployed are Interested in Training
- 41.9% Want to Upgrade Skills – 341,097
- Leading Fields of Interest among Workforce are Nursing and other medical-related fields
Employers Report:
- Above Average Work Ethic and Productivity
- Good Availability of Unskilled and Semi-Skilled Workers
- Region Perceived as a Low Wage Location
- Belief that Region Can Support Higher Skilled Emerging Industries
Excellent Foundation for Economic Expansion
- Higher Number of Post-secondary Institutions than Comparable Southeastern Regions
- Good Corporate Presence and Base
- Fed Ex Hub and Other Excellent Transportation Assets
- Existing Industry Clusters
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Employment by Industry
Shelby County Employment by Industry, 2008-2009
| Industry |
2008
|
2009
|
% Change
|
| Manufacturing |
37,142
|
35,673
|
-4.0
|
| Construction |
19,065
|
19,496
|
-13.9
|
| Wholesale Trade |
31,183
|
27,311
|
-12.4
|
| Retail Trade |
55,538
|
51,464
|
-7.3
|
| Transportation & Warehousing |
55,361
|
52,702
|
-4.8
|
| Information |
6,397
|
6,338
|
-5.6
|
| Financial Services |
26,637
|
24,969
|
-6.3
|
| Professional & Business Services |
73,410
|
67,241
|
-8.4
|
| Educational & Health Services |
64,665
|
65,167
|
0.8
|
| Leisure & Hospitality |
47,495
|
45,135
|
-5.0
|
| Other Services |
14,130
|
13,862
|
-3.2
|
| Government |
22,847
|
22,697
|
-0.6
|
| Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010 |
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Memphis Metro Employment by Industry, 2008-2009
| Industry |
2008
|
2009
|
% Change
|
| Manufacturing |
50,900
|
46,500
|
-8.6
|
| Natural Resources, Mining & Construction |
24,700
|
21,500
|
-13.0
|
| Retail Trade |
70,100
|
65,700
|
-6.3
|
| Wholesale Trade |
35,500
|
32,900
|
-7.3
|
| Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities |
65,200
|
62,300
|
-4.4
|
| Information |
7,300
|
6,900
|
-5.5
|
| Financial Activities |
32,500
|
30,900
|
-4.9
|
| Professional & Business Services |
82,900
|
75,300
|
-9.2
|
| Educational and Health Services |
79,200
|
79,900
|
-0.9
|
| Leisure and Hospitality |
70,500
|
66,200
|
-6.1
|
| Other Services |
24,600
|
24,900
|
1.2
|
| Government |
89,200
|
88,000
|
-1.3
|
| Source: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development |
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Memphis-Area Wages by Industry
Memphis Area Production Wages
| Job Title |
Weighted Average
|
Low
Average
|
High
Average
|
| Crew Leader, Production |
$15.99
|
$16.57
|
$19.75
|
| Process Operator Intermediate |
$19.76
|
$17.69
|
$22.88
|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks |
$14.32
|
$14.85
|
$16.13
|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders |
$22.74
|
$17.68
|
$21.45
|
| Packers & Packagers, Hand |
$11.77
|
$11.40
|
$13.27
|
| Quality Control Technician |
$18.40
|
$16.62
|
$18.42
|
| Production Control Analyst |
$26.91
|
$27.45
|
$28.84
|
| Treasurers & Controllers |
$52.89
|
$58.22
|
$60.91
|
| Source: Centre Group Wage Survey, 2010 |
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Memphis Area Distribution Wages (hourly)
| Job Title |
Weighted Average
|
Low
Average
|
High
Average
|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock and Material Movers |
$11.37
|
$8.34
|
$12.89
|
| Stock Clerk and Order Fillers |
$11.37
|
$8.05
|
$13.03
|
| Cargo and Freight Agents |
$17.54
|
$15.03
|
$18.80
|
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators |
$13.10
|
$10.16
|
$14.57
|
| Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor Trailer |
$19.47
|
$12.28
|
$23.06
|
| First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Transportation |
$25.20
|
$14.93
|
$30.33
|
| Source: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development, Occupational Employment & Wages, 2010 |
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Memphis Area Office Wages
| Job Title |
Weighted Average
|
Low
Average
|
High
Average
|
| Accountant |
$50,150
|
$51,878
|
$58,301
|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks |
$33,182
|
$34,369
|
$36,542
|
| Human Resources Assistant |
$36,772
|
$35,400
|
$39,026
|
| Receptionists and Information Clerks |
$26,021
|
$26,424
|
$38,219
|
| Secretaries (except Legal, Medical and Executive) |
$31,901
|
$29,748
|
$38,219
|
| Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants |
$39,688
|
$39,286
|
$48,752
|
| Human Resources Manager |
$82,367
|
$84,682
|
$86,221
|
| Computer Systems Analyst |
$74,165
|
$66,702
|
$77,237
|
| Source: Centre Group Wage Survey 2010 |
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Memphis Area Call Center Wages
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Memphis Area Bioscience Wages
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