Workforce


Ready to Work

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.
  • Click here to learn of the many training and assistance programs offered as incentives to developing and maintaining a highly qualified and skilled workforce.
  • Click here to learn more about training and assistance programs specific to the transportation and logistics industry in "Memphis: America's Aerotropolis."
Quick Links
Workforce Depth & Breadth Employment by Industry
Labor Data Tool Wages by Occupation Type
Memphis Workforce Assets

Workforce Depth + Breadth

Not only does Memphis draw from a three-state labor pool (Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area), employment ranges across the spectrum of industries. Employment is relatively balanced among industries giving the Memphis workforce breadth in both skills and experience. Here’s a quick look at the Memphis metro workforce in November 2011 (latest non-preliminary data available):

  • Civilian Labor Force - 625,230
  • Total Employment - 563.089
  • Unemployed - 62,141
  • Unemployment Rate - 9.9%

Workforce Training: Memphis-Area Colleges & Universities

Institution Type Total Enrollment
University of Memphis
4 Year Public University
22,420
Southwest Tennessee Community College
2 Year Community College
13,362
Northwest Mississippi Community College 2 Year Community College 8,417
Strayer University 4 Year Private University 3,063
Univ. of Tennessee Health Science Center
Medical School
2,800
Mid-South Community College 2 Year Community College 2,340
Christian Brothers University
4 Year Private University
1,828
Rhodes College
4 Year Private University
1,721
University of Phoenix - Memphis Campus
4 Year Private University
1,333
Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences 4 Year Privage College 1,033
Remington College - Memphis
2 Year Private Vocational College
1,030
Le Moyne Owen College
4 Year Private College
987
ITT Technical Institute-Cordova 4 Year Private College 912
Concorde Career College - Memphis 2 Year Private Vocational College 843
Tennessee Technology Center - Memphis
Technical/Vocational Training
826
Anthem Career College 2 Year Vocational College  
Victory University
4 Year Private College
740
Vatterott Career College - Memphis Dividend Drive 2 Year Private Vocational College  
DeVry University - Tennessee
4 Year Private College
574
Delta Technical College Technical/Vocational Training 554
Southern College of Optometry Medical School 487
Memphis College of Art
4 Year Private College
444
Vatterott Career College - Memphis Appling Farms 2 Year Private Vocational College 356
Tennessee Technology Center at Covington Technical/Vocational Training 317
Memphis Theological Seminary Seminary 257
William Moore College of Technology 2 year Private Vocational College 167
Visible Music College 4 Year Private College 106
Total   66,917
SOURCE: National Center for Education Statistics, 2010-2011 School Year

[BACK TO TOP]

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 3,110 workers, 191 employer surveys, interviews with 65 key workforce influencers and five focus groups with community representatives in the 52 counties surrounding Memphis.

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.

[BACK TO TOP]

Memphis Workforce Assets

Huge Hidden Potential Workforce*

  • Underemployed 177,604
  • Not Employed, Wanting Work 483,440
  • Over 20% of the Memphis Workforce are college graduates
  • Total Hidden Labor Supply 661,044

Large Percentage of Employed & Unemployed are Interested in Training*

  • 42.6% Want to Upgrade Skills – 458,335
  • 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
  • FedEx Hub and Other Excellent Transportation Assets
  • Existing Industry Clusters

*Note: data from the 52 county region in Southwest Tennessee, Northern Mississippi, Eastern Arkansas and Southeast Missouri surrounding Memphis

[BACK TO TOP]

Employment by Industry

Memphis Metro Employment by Industry, 2009-2010

Industry 2010
2011
% Change
Manufacturing
44,600
44,700
0.2
Natural Resources, Mining & Construction
19,300
20,000
3.6
Retail Trade
64,500
63,000
-2.3
Wholesale Trade
32,500
32,800
0.9
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities
62,800
62,800
2.4
Information           
6,300
6,100
-3.2
Financial Activities   28,800
27,300
-5.2
Professional & Business Services
75,600
81,700
8.1
Education and Health Services
80,900
81,000
1.9
Leisure and Hospitality
63,100
64,600
2.4
Other Services        
24,200
23,300
-3.7
Government
87,100
87,000
-0.1
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011

[BACK TO TOP]
 

Memphis-Area Wages by Occupation Type

Memphis Metro Wages by Occupation Type, May 2011

Occupation Type
Mean Annual Wage
Management Occupations $40,660
Business and Financial Operations Occupations $93,740
Computer and Mathematical Occupations $64,350
Architecture and Engineering Occupations $74,320
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations $57,190
Community and Social Service Occupations $39,920
Legal Occupations $84,630
Education, Traning and Library Occupations $44,800
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations $41,990
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations $66,600
Healthcare Support Occupations $26,600
Protective Service Occupations $35,160
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations $19,640
Buiding and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations $23,710
Personal Care and Service Occupations $22,120
Sales and Related Occupations $34,790
Office and Administrative Support Occupations $32,830
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations $26,100
Construction and Extraction Occupations $36,000
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations $43,660
Production Occupations $32,180
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations $32,750
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011

[BACK TO TOP]



Memphis Youth Career Development Program

The Memphis Youth Career Development Program (MYCDP) is a partnership with the Greater Memphis Chamber and Cummins Inc. The program will provide a work learning experience to youth by acquainting them with career opportunities as identified in the MemphisED Fast Forward Initiative. The program will develop employable, manageable, prepared individuals to succeed in the emerging workforce.

For more information about the MYCD Program, click here.

[BACK TO TOP]


Member Spotlight