The Complete Career Guide for Electricians in Memphis, TN

As a career analyst who’s lived in Memphis for years, I’ve watched electricians build solid careers here. The city’s mix of old infrastructure and new development keeps the work steady. This guide cuts through the fluff and gives you the real numbers, neighborhoods, and employers you need to know. Let’s get straight to it.

The Salary Picture: Where Memphis Stands

Memphis offers a stable, middle-range salary for electricians. It’s not the highest-paying city in the nation, but the cost of living is low enough that the pay goes further. The median salary for an electrician here is $60,146/year, which breaks down to about $28.92/hour. This is slightly under the national average of $61,550/year, but when you factor in Memphis’s cost of living, that gap shrinks.

The job market is active. The metro area has 1,855 jobs for electricians, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 11%. This isn't explosive growth, but it’s steady demand driven by ongoing hospital expansions, commercial builds, and the constant need for residential upgrades.

Here’s how experience level typically translates to pay in the Memphis market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Salary Range (Annual)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-3	$40,000 - $52,000	Assist with installations, conduit bending, basic troubleshooting.
Mid-Level	3-8	$52,000 - $68,000	Lead small crews, read blueprints, manage residential projects.
Senior	8-15	$68,000 - $85,000+	Commercial/industrial work, project management, specialized systems.
Expert	15+	$85,000 - $110,000+	Master electrician, business owner, niche specializations (e.g., data centers, healthcare).

Insider Tip: The salary ceiling in Memphis is often tied to specialization. A residential electrician might cap around $75k, while a commercial electrician working on FedEx or hospital projects can push into the $90,000+ range with the right certs and experience.

How Memphis Compares to Other Tennessee Cities

Memphis sits in the middle of Tennessee's electrician pay scale. It’s not as high as Nashville, but it’s competitive with Knoxville and Chattanooga, especially when adjusted for cost of living.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Effective Pay
Memphis	$60,146	92.4	High Value
Nashville	$64,200	102.1	Moderate
Knoxville	$58,800	90.1	High Value
Chattanooga	$57,500	88.5	High Value

Nashville pays more, but rent and daily costs are higher. Knoxville and Chattanooga have similar salaries to Memphis but with slightly lower living costs. Memphis’s advantage is its job density—more employers in one metro area than any other city in the state outside Nashville.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s talk real numbers. An electrician earning the median salary of $60,146 in Memphis takes home roughly $4,200/month after federal, state (TN has no state income tax), and FICA taxes. This is a solid starting point for budgeting.

Here’s a breakdown of a typical monthly budget for a single electrician:

• Gross Pay: $5,012/month
• Take-Home Pay (after taxes): ~$4,200/month
• Rent (1BR Average): $1,146/month
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet): $250/month
• Car Payment & Insurance: $500/month (Memphis is car-dependent)
• Groceries & Food: $400/month
• Health Insurance (via employer): $300/month
• Savings/Investments: $700/month
• Miscellaneous/Entertainment: $500/month
• Remaining Buffer: $404/month

This budget is manageable. The key is keeping housing costs near the average. The cost of living index for Memphis is 92.4, meaning your dollar stretches about 7.6% further than the national average. This buffer is why many tradespeople find Memphis sustainable long-term.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?

Yes, absolutely. This is where Memphis shines for working professionals. The median home price in the Memphis metro is around $225,000. With a $60,146 salary, you’re well within the standard 28% rule for housing costs.

• Estimated Monthly Mortgage (with 10% down): ~$1,400-$1,600 (including taxes and insurance).
• Comparison: $1,146 (rent) vs. $1,500 (mortgage).
• Conclusion: The jump from renting to owning is manageable, especially if you pair up with a partner. Many electricians I know in the city own homes in suburbs like Bartlett or Cordova, building equity early in their careers.

Where the Jobs Are: Memphis's Major Employers

Memphis’s economy is built on logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. This creates diverse opportunities for electricians beyond standard residential work. Here are the key employers:

1. MLGW (Memphis Light, Gas & Water): The city’s utility. They hire electricians for line work, meter installation, and substation maintenance. It’s a public sector job with excellent benefits and pension. Hiring is competitive and often based on civil service exams.
2. FedEx World Headquarters: Based in Memphis, FedEx has massive facilities at the airport and in the suburbs. They need electricians for warehouse automation, conveyor systems, and facility maintenance. Insider Tip: Getting on with FedEx can be a career-maker. Their in-house electricians often make $70,000+ with full benefits.
3. Regional One Health & Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare: The two largest hospital systems in the city. They employ in-house electricians for critical infrastructure. Work is high-stakes (backup generators, life-support systems) and pays a premium. Specialized medical-grade electrical training is a huge plus here.
4. AutoZone: Their corporate headquarters and distribution centers are in Memphis. They need electricians for their massive data centers and logistics hubs. This is a great path for someone interested in commercial/industrial work.
5. First Horizon Park (Home of the Memphis Redbirds) & FedExForum: Both venues are managed by the same parent company. They hire electricians for event setup, lighting maintenance, and concession power. It’s a mix of steady maintenance work and high-intensity event days.
6. Local IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Chapter 474: The union hall in Memphis is a major hiring hub. They connect members with contractors on large commercial projects. Working union often means better pay (journeyman rate can be $35+/hour), benefits, and training.
7. Memphis-Shelby County Schools: The school district has a large facilities department that needs electricians for renovations and routine maintenance across 200+ schools. It’s stable, salaried work with a good schedule (summers off).

Hiring Trend: There’s a surge in demand for electricians with EV charger installation certification, especially in Midtown and East Memphis where affluent homeowners are upgrading. Data center work (FedEx, AutoZone, new facilities) is also a growing niche.

Getting Licensed in Tennessee

Tennessee’s licensing is straightforward but requires time. You must be licensed by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

The Process & Timeline

1. Apprenticeship (4-5 years): You need 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction. This is typically done through a union apprenticeship (IBEW) or a non-union program (like the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - TCAT).
2. Journeyman License: After completing your apprenticeship, you can take the journeyman exam. This is a national test (NCCER or state-specific). The exam fee is around $150. Once passed, you’re a licensed journeyman electrician in Tennessee.
3. Master Electrician License: Requires 4 years as a journeyman (12,000 additional hours). This is the license needed to pull permits and run your own contracting business. The exam fee is similar, $150-$200.

Costs to Start: The apprenticeship is usually tuition-free (you earn while you learn), but there may be union dues or material fees (a few hundred dollars a year). The total cost to go from apprentice to journeyman is minimal if you go through an organized program.

Insider Tip: Start your apprenticeship application immediately. Memphis’s IBEW 474 apprenticeship program has a waitlist, and the non-union TCAT programs have limited seats. Time your entry right.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live in Memphis impacts your commute and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown by commute and lifestyle.

Neighborhood	Vibe	Avg. 1BR Rent	Commute to Major Employers
East Memphis	Upscale, established, near major hospitals & FedEx.	$1,300	15-25 min to most jobs.
Midtown	Artsy, walkable, central. Great for freelancers.	$1,200	10-20 min to downtown, 20-30 to airport.
Bartlett	Suburban, family-friendly. Where many tradespeople buy homes.	$1,000	20-30 min to downtown, 25-40 to airport.
Cordova	Growing suburb, more affordable new builds.	$950	30-45 min to downtown, 20-35 to airport.
South Main/Downtown	Urban, trendy, high-rise apartments.	$1,500+	10 min to most downtown jobs, 25 to airport.

My Recommendation: If you’re renting and want a short commute to hospital or corporate jobs, East Memphis is ideal. If you’re looking to buy a starter home, Bartlett or Cordova offer the best value. Midtown is a great middle-ground if you want a more vibrant social scene.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Memphis, your career growth comes from specialization and management. Here’s the 10-year outlook:

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Data Center Electrical: +20-30% on base pay. Critical path for FedEx, AutoZone, and new tech facilities.
  • Healthcare Electrical Systems: +15-25%. Requires additional training in life-support systems and redundancy.
  • Renewables/Solar: Gaining traction, but less established than in other markets. Still a growing niche.
  • EV Charging Station Installation: +10-15%. Certification (like from EVSE) is becoming a must-have for residential and commercial electricians.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Journeyman Electrician -> Lead Technician (oversee a small crew on commercial jobs).
  2. Lead Technician -> Project Manager (for commercial/industrial electrical contractors).
  3. Journeyman/Master Electrician -> Business Owner (residential service company or small commercial contractor). Memphis’s lower startup costs make this feasible.
  4. Union Route: IBEW 474 offers clear progression and pension, a path many take for long-term stability.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 11% job growth is solid. The biggest driver will be infrastructure maintenance (aging electrical grids) and commercial development (especially in the airport logistics corridor and downtown revitalization projects). Electricians who adapt to smart building tech and data centers will see the most opportunity.

The Verdict: Is Memphis Right for You?

Memphis is a pragmatic choice for electricians. It’s not a flashy city with sky-high salaries, but it offers stability, affordability, and a diverse job market. The lower cost of living allows you to build wealth faster than in more expensive metros.

Here’s a final look at the pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $60,146 salary goes much further.	Car-Dependent: Public transit is limited; you need a reliable vehicle.
Steady Job Market: 1,855 jobs and 11% growth provide security.	Limited Public Amenities: Fewer parks and recreational areas than other cities.
Diverse Employers: From hospitals to FedEx, opportunities are everywhere.	Summer Heat & Humidity: Can be brutal for outdoor work.
Home Ownership is Attainable: Median home price is $225,000.	Educational Gaps: Public schools in some areas are underperforming.

Final Recommendation: If you’re a skilled electrician looking for a place where you can own a home, find steady work, and build a career without breaking the bank, Memphis is an excellent choice. Focus on getting licensed, specialize in a high-demand area like commercial or healthcare, and you’ll be set. For a young electrician, it’s one of the best-value cities in the country.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car in Memphis?
A: Absolutely. The city is spread out, and public transportation is not reliable for commuting to job sites. A reliable truck or van is also essential for your tools.

Q: Is the union (IBEW 474) strong in Memphis?
A: Yes, it’s influential, especially on large commercial projects. Non-union work is plentiful in residential and small commercial. Union scale is typically higher, but it’s competitive to get in.

Q: What’s the weather like for outdoor work?
A: Summers are hot and humid (90°F+ with high humidity). Winters are mild but can have ice storms. Work is year-round, but spring and fall are the most pleasant.

Q: How do I find an apprenticeship?
A: Contact the IBEW Local 474 for the union route or search for programs at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Memphis. Start by calling their offices directly.

Q: Are there many women electricians in Memphis?
A: The field is male-dominated nationally, and Memphis is similar. However, there are growing efforts for inclusion. Organizations like WIRE (Women in Renewable Energy) have local chapters, and some contractors are actively recruiting women. It’s a small but supportive community.

(Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, Memphis Area Association of Realtors, Cost of Living Index by Council for Community and Economic Research.)