Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 1,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2022.

Total employment in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR market declined by 6,231 jobs in October and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 8 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Memphis, TN-MS-AR unemployment rate is 110 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 30 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 8% and are up 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 October 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 189,700; -1,200
  • Business Services: 99,900; +900
  • Education & Healthcare: 97,500; +800
  • Government: 84,200; +900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 66,100; -1,500
  • Manufacturing: 44,300; +100
  • Financial Services: 28,900; -300
  • Other Jobs: 27,900; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 26,200; +100
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Unemployment by Industry October 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2022 (Data published December 2022 and reports created on December 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.