Inside the Memphis Labor Market: How Pay and Jobs Stack Up Across the Region

Fresh data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provide a detailed snapshot of the labor market across the Memphis, TN–MS–AR region, from core Shelby County to its suburban and exurban counties in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. Together with recent metro-level employment indicators and selected project announcements, the picture that emerges is of a regional economy still centered on Shelby County but with important differences in wages, job counts and business establishments across county lines.

Shelby County: High wages and a dense employment base

Shelby County, home to Memphis and the largest share of the region’s jobs, remains the clear wage and employment anchor. BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) annual averages show that in 2024, covered employment in Shelby County stood at 482,470 jobs, down modestly from 493,623 in 2022 and 486,615 in 20231. Over the same period, the number of business establishments continued to rise, reaching 24,468 in 2024, up from 23,518 in 2022 and 24,375 in 20232. That combination—slightly lower job counts but more establishments—points to a dynamic employer base, even if total covered jobs have edged down in recent years.

On pay, Shelby County leads the region by a clear margin. The average weekly wage reached $1,375 in 2024, up from $1,291 in 2022 and $1,349 in 20233. Among the counties examined here, no other jurisdiction matches that level of weekly earnings.

Fayette and Tipton Counties: Smaller job bases, moderate wages

East and north of Shelby, Fayette and Tipton Counties offer smaller employment bases but growing business footprints.

• Fayette County, TN recorded 8,093 covered jobs in 2024, essentially flat compared with 8,162 in 2022 and 8,085 in 20234. Business establishments, however, have risen from 724 in 2022 to 823 in 20245. The average weekly wage reached $1,098 in 2024, up from $1,004 in 2022 and $1,060 in 20236.
• Tipton County, TN shows a slightly larger job base than Fayette but a recent dip in employment. Covered employment fell from 12,360 in 2022 to 12,061 in 2023 and 11,848 in 20247. At the same time, business establishments increased from 897 in 2022 to 962 in 20248. Average weekly wages rose from $895 in 2022 to $966 in 2023 and $967 in 20249.

Both counties illustrate a pattern of more establishments but either flat or slightly lower job counts, suggesting a tilt toward smaller firms or slower hiring per establishment, even as wages trend upward.

Mississippi suburbs: Rapid job growth in DeSoto, lower wages overall

South of Memphis, Mississippi’s DeSoto, Marshall and Tunica Counties play distinct roles in the regional labor market.

• DeSoto County, MS has emerged as a large suburban employment center. Covered employment reached 72,666 jobs in 2024, up steadily from 70,216 in 2022 and 71,103 in 202310. Establishments also climbed from 3,450 in 2022 to 3,754 in 202411. Average weekly wages, while below Shelby’s, increased from $824 in 2022 to $855 in 2023 and $879 in 202412.
• Marshall County, MS shows a smaller but growing job base. Covered employment rose from 10,660 in 2022 to 11,225 in 2023 and 11,291 in 202413. Business establishments increased from 511 in 2022 to 566 in 202414. Average weekly wages moved from $865 in 2022 to $903 in 2023 and $935 in 202415.
• Tunica County, MS presents a flatter employment profile. Covered employment was 5,730 in 2022, 5,995 in 2023 and 5,799 in 202416. Establishments ticked up from 259 in 2022 to 270 in 202417. Average weekly wages in Tunica have hovered just over $800, rising from $778 in 2022 to $809 in 2023 and then easing to $802 in 202418.

Compared with Shelby County’s $1,375 weekly wage level, all three Mississippi counties operate at lower pay scales. However, DeSoto and Marshall combine wage growth with expanding job counts and establishment numbers, reinforcing their role as growth corridors on the Mississippi side of the metro.

Crittenden County, Arkansas: Stable job base, mid-range pay

Across the river, Crittenden County, AR offers a mid-sized job base with moderate wage growth. Covered employment increased from 15,750 in 2022 to 15,861 in 2023 and 16,197 jobs in 202419. The number of business establishments has been essentially flat, at 1,130 in 2022, 1,095 in 2023 and 1,096 in 202420. Average weekly wages climbed from $868 in 2022 to $888 in 2023 and $919 in 202421.

On wages, Crittenden sits between the lower-wage Mississippi counties and the higher-wage Tennessee counties. On employment growth, its recent trajectory is positive but modest, with establishment counts holding roughly steady.

Metro-wide labor signals: Employment, unemployment and monthly job changes

At the broader metro level, BLS data for the Memphis, TN–MS–AR metropolitan statistical area (MSA) indicate a large civilian labor force and relatively low to mid-range unemployment in early 2026. An Employment Situation-style table for the MSA reports monthly values for the Civilian Labor Force from January through June 202622, alongside monthly Employment23 and the Unemployment Rate24 for the same months. The document also provides Total Nonfarm employment levels and 12‑month percent changes for January–June 202625.

Outside BLS, one independent compilation notes that the Memphis area lost 1,300 jobs in June 202626, and that over the prior five years the metro averaged about 153 new jobs per month27. Over that July 2021–June 2026 period, it reports the area gained jobs in 31 out of 60 months28, with June 2026 ranked as the 13th‑lowest month for job growth29. These figures describe variability in short‑term job gains and losses, but they come from a secondary source rather than directly from BLS.

Project pipeline and regional growth context

Localized project announcements and regional economic reports help explain some of the underlying momentum, though they typically focus on commitments rather than realized jobs.

One transportation company, JNJ Express, has announced it will invest $83.6 million to expand operations in Memphis, creating 610 new jobs over the next five years as it establishes a new corporate headquarters and operations campus in Southeast Memphis30. The firm currently employs 290 people in the Memphis area31 and plans to redevelop and occupy a former retail site at 5000 American Way32. According to the announcement, the new campus will consolidate headquarters functions including human resources, accounting, IT and marketing, and a second building will house distribution, maintenance and transportation operations33. These numbers and descriptions come from a project-focused article rather than an official state incentive agreement, but they outline one of the notable near‑term employment commitments within Shelby County.

At the regional scale, a Greater Memphis Chamber market report describes a strong rebound in 2021. It states that Gross Regional Product in Greater Memphis grew by $4.4 billion in 202134. Led by a $758 million year‑over‑year increase in Transportation and Warehousing and a $529 million increase in Advanced Manufacturing, the report says the Memphis regional economy grew at 6.2%, surpassing the national 5.5% real GDP growth rate for that year35. It further notes that 2021 was a record year for economic development in Greater Memphis with more than 9,000 announced jobs36. These figures are sourced from a local chamber report rather than from federal statistical releases, but they provide context for the sector mix that underpins the region’s job base.

The same report highlights Ford Motor Company’s planned Blue Oval City campus just outside Shelby County, noting that Ford intends to make a $5.6 billion investment in the region37. It also cites an estimated $25 billion in annual gross regional product currently contributed by the relevant state-level industry37. While these numbers relate to a site outside the counties covered by the QCEW excerpts above, the report suggests the Memphis region could benefit from supplier networks and support businesses tied to the project.

What the data do—and do not—show

The BLS QCEW figures provide a high‑confidence baseline on employment, establishment counts and average weekly wages by county through 20241245781011131416171920. They do not, on their own, break down performance by sector, nor do they specify commuting patterns—questions that are relevant for property and site-selection decisions.

Metro‑level monthly data on labor force, employment and total nonfarm job counts from BLS provide additional insight into short‑term labor trends through mid‑202622232425, but the excerpts available here do not include the full series of values or year‑over‑year comparisons beyond what is summarized. Likewise, chamber and project announcements outline intended investments and job creation but do not confirm delivery timelines or realized employment.

For property decision‑makers, the verified evidence supports a few grounded takeaways: Shelby County remains the high‑wage and high‑density core; DeSoto and other suburban counties are adding jobs and establishments at lower wage levels; and headline projects—from logistics expansions within Memphis to automotive investments just outside the core counties—are positioned to reinforce existing strengths in transportation, warehousing and advanced manufacturing. Quantifying the ultimate impact of those projects on local job counts, wages and property demand would require follow‑up once more implementation data become available.

1. BLS QCEW, Shelby County, TN covered employment annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47157).↩↩
2. BLS QCEW, Shelby County, TN business establishments annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47157).↩↩
3. BLS QCEW, Shelby County, TN average weekly wage annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47157).↩
4. BLS QCEW, Fayette County, TN covered employment annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47047).↩↩
5. BLS QCEW, Fayette County, TN business establishments annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47047).↩↩
6. BLS QCEW, Fayette County, TN average weekly wage annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47047).↩
7. BLS QCEW, Tipton County, TN covered employment annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47167).↩↩
8. BLS QCEW, Tipton County, TN business establishments annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47167).↩↩
9. BLS QCEW, Tipton County, TN average weekly wage annual averages 2022–2024 (area 47167).↩
10. BLS QCEW, DeSoto County, MS covered employment annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28033).↩↩
11. BLS QCEW, DeSoto County, MS business establishments annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28033).↩↩
12. BLS QCEW, DeSoto County, MS average weekly wage annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28033).↩
13. BLS QCEW, Marshall County, MS covered employment annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28093).↩↩
14. BLS QCEW, Marshall County, MS business establishments annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28093).↩↩
15. BLS QCEW, Marshall County, MS average weekly wage annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28093).↩
16. BLS QCEW, Tunica County, MS covered employment annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28143).↩↩
17. BLS QCEW, Tunica County, MS business establishments annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28143).↩↩
18. BLS QCEW, Tunica County, MS average weekly wage annual averages 2022–2024 (area 28143).↩
19. BLS QCEW, Crittenden County, AR covered employment annual averages 2022–2024 (area 05035).↩↩
20. BLS QCEW, Crittenden County, AR business establishments annual averages 2022–2024 (area 05035).↩↩
21. BLS QCEW, Crittenden County, AR average weekly wage annual averages 2022–2024 (area 05035).↩
22. BLS, Memphis, TN–MS–AR MSA, Civilian Labor Force monthly values Jan–June 2026.↩↩
23. BLS, Memphis, TN–MS–AR MSA, Employment monthly values Jan–June 2026.↩↩
24. BLS, Memphis, TN–MS–AR MSA, Unemployment Rate monthly values Jan–June 2026.↩↩
25. BLS, Memphis, TN–MS–AR MSA, Total Nonfarm employment and 12‑month percent changes Jan–June 2026.↩↩
26. USAFacts, statement that Memphis area lost 1,300 jobs in June 2026.↩
27. USAFacts, statement that Memphis MSA averaged about 153 new jobs per month over past five years.↩
28. USAFacts, statement that Memphis area gained jobs in 31 of 60 months (July 2021–June 2026).↩
29. USAFacts, statement that June 2026 had 13th‑lowest job growth in that five‑year period.↩
30. BusinessFacilities.com, JNJ Express plan to invest $83.6 million and create 610 new jobs over five years in Memphis.↩
31. BusinessFacilities.com, JNJ Express current employment of 290 in the Memphis area.↩
32. BusinessFacilities.com, JNJ Express plan to redevelop and occupy former retail site at 5000 American Way.↩
33. BusinessFacilities.com, description of planned JNJ campus functions and second building for operations division.↩
34. Greater Memphis Chamber market report, statement that GRP in Greater Memphis grew by $4.4 billion in 2021.↩
35. Greater Memphis Chamber market report, statement that Memphis regional economy grew 6.2% in 2021, led by $758 million increase in Transportation and Warehousing and $529 million in Advanced Manufacturing, versus 5.5% US real GDP growth.↩
36. Greater Memphis Chamber market report, statement that 2021 was a record year with 9,000+ announced jobs.↩
37. Greater Memphis Chamber market report, statement on Ford Motor Company’s Blue Oval City campus, $5.6 billion intended investment and $25 billion annual GRP contribution of the relevant industry.↩