Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 3,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR market rose by 5,122 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Memphis, TN-MS-AR unemployment rate is 41 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 280 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 2.2% and are equal compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 186,800; +3,300
  • Business Services: 106,500; +1,800
  • Education & Healthcare: 90,800; -100
  • Government: 82,300; -1,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 65,800; +400
  • Manufacturing: 44,700; no change
  • Financial Services: 29,300; +100
  • Other Jobs: 27,000; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 24,600; -200
  • IT & Development: 5,000; no change
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.