Graphic Designer in Memphis, TN

The Salary Picture: Where Memphis Stands

As a native Memphian who's watched the design scene evolve from the old Memphis Business Journal days to the digital boom, I can tell you the graphic design market here is stable but competitive. The numbers confirm it: the median salary for a Graphic Designer in Memphis is $59,941/year, which breaks down to $28.82/hour. That’s slightly below the national average of $61,340/year, but don’t let that scare you. Memphis’s cost of living index is 92.4 (US avg = 100), meaning your dollar stretches further here than in most cities.

The job market is modest but consistent. There are 1,237 graphic design jobs in the metro area, with a 10-year job growth of 3%. This isn’t explosive growth, but it’s steady, driven by a mix of legacy corporations, a growing healthcare sector, and a surprisingly robust creative agency scene.

Here’s how salaries break down by experience level, based on local job postings and BLS data:

Experience Level	Annual Salary (Median)	Key Employers by Level
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$42,000 - $48,000	Local print shops, small marketing agencies, first roles at larger corps (e.g., FedEx marketing department).
Mid-Level (3-6 years)	$55,000 - $67,000	In-house positions at major companies (ServiceMaster, AutoZone), established agencies like Archer>Malmo.
Senior-Level (7-10 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Creative Director track at agencies, lead designer roles at healthcare giants (Methodist Le Bonheur).
Expert/Leadership (10+ years)	$85,000+	Agency ownership, VP of Creative, specialized roles in UX/UI for fintech or logistics firms.

Insider Tip: Salaries for senior roles at top Memphis agencies can push $90,000+ if you have a niche specialty like motion design or UX/UI. The key is to specialize.

Comparison to Other Tennessee Cities:

• Nashville: Higher median salary (~$64,000), but cost of living is ~10% higher. The market is saturated with music and entertainment industry work.
• Knoxville: Lower median salary (~$55,000), lower cost of living. More focused on tourism and university work.
• Chattanooga: Similar to Memphis (~$58,000), with a growing tech scene (thanks to EPB's gigabit).

Memphis offers a middle ground: a lower cost of living than Nashville with more diverse industry opportunities than Knoxville or Chattanooga.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your budget. For a Graphic Designer earning the median salary of $59,941/year, here’s a rough monthly breakdown (using standard tax assumptions for a single filer in TN):

• Gross Monthly: ~$4,995
• Estimated Taxes (Federal + FICA): ~$1,000
• Net Take-Home: ~$3,995

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Rent (1BR average): -$1,146
• Utilities/Internet: -$200
• Groceries: -$400
• Health Insurance: -$300 (varies by employer)
• Transportation (car payment/gas/insurance): -$500
• Miscellaneous (entertainment, savings, debt): -$1,449

This leaves you with a comfortable cushion for savings, dining out, or exploring the city’s vibrant arts scene (hello, Cooper-Young gallery hops!). Can they afford to buy a home? It’s a qualified yes. The median home price in Memphis is around $250,000. With a 20% down payment ($50,000), you’d need to save aggressively for 2-3 years on this salary. Many designers in their 30s buy in neighborhoods like Berclair or Binghampton, where prices are still relatively accessible.

Where the Jobs Are: Memphis's Major Employers

Memphis’s economy is built on logistics, healthcare, and a surprising number of corporate headquarters. Here’s where you should be looking for design work:

1. FedEx (Headquarters): The global giant. Their in-house marketing and design teams are massive, handling everything from packaging design to global brand campaigns. They hire frequently for entry-to-mid-level roles. Insider Tip: They value clean, corporate design and strong typography skills. Look for “Creative Designer” postings on their careers page.

2. AutoZone (Headquarters): Another Memphis-based Fortune 500. Their in-house agency does all their retail signage, digital ads, and product packaging. It’s a stable, well-paying job with good benefits.

3. Archer>Malmo: The city’s largest and most awarded advertising agency. They work with national clients like Holiday Inn and regional giants. This is where you go for agency experience and a fast-paced portfolio. They typically hire mid-to-senior level designers.

4. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare: One of the largest pediatric hospitals in the South. Their in-house marketing team needs designers for patient education materials, event branding, and digital campaigns. This is a great niche for designers who enjoy mission-driven work.

5. The City of Memphis / Shelby County Government: Constant demand for public information design, wayfinding, and campaign materials for public health and civic initiatives. Jobs are posted on the City of Memphis Careers site.

6. L’Oreal (Manufacturing Plant): Their Memphis plant is a major employer. The in-house team handles packaging design and branding for some of the world’s biggest beauty brands. A unique hybrid of corporate and creative work.

7. Local Marketing Agencies: Beyond Archer>Malmo, look at The Buntin Group, Mighty, and RedRover. They offer a more boutique experience and are great for building a diverse portfolio.

Hiring Trends: There’s a growing demand for designers who understand digital-first and UX/UI principles, even in traditionally print-heavy sectors like healthcare and logistics. Skills in Figma, Adobe XD, and basic front-end web knowledge are a major plus.

Getting Licensed in TN

This is a straightforward one: There is no state license required to practice graphic design in Tennessee. The profession is unregulated.

What You Should Do Instead:

• Build a Killer Portfolio: This is your license. Platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or a personal Squarespace site are essential. In Memphis, agencies and employers will judge you almost entirely on your portfolio.
• Consider Certifications: While not mandatory, certifications in Adobe Creative Cloud or UX Design (from platforms like Coursera or Google) can give you an edge, especially for corporate roles.
• Professional Memberships: Join the local AIGA Memphis chapter. It’s the best way to network, find mentors, and stay on top of local trends. Membership fees are typically $50-$150/year.

Timeline to Get Started: If you’re moving to Memphis for a design job, your timeline is immediate. Start applying to jobs 2-3 months before your move. Use LinkedIn and local job boards like Memphis Creative and The Daily Memphian’s job section. The market isn’t so tight that you’ll be unemployed for months, but having a local address on your resume (even if it’s a friend’s) can help.

Best Neighborhoods for Graphic Designers

Memphis is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe. Where you live affects your commute and your creative energy.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It’s Good for Designers
Midtown (Between Overton Square & Cooper-Young)	The creative heart. Walkable, full of galleries, cafes, and quirky shops. Commute to downtown is 10-15 mins.	$1,250 - $1,400	You’re in the scene. Networking happens at the farmers market or a coffee shop. The energy fuels creativity.
Downtown	Urban, fast-paced. Walk to work if you’re at an agency or corporate office. Can be noisy and pricier.	$1,400 - $1,700	Ideal for those who want a short commute and a vibrant nightlife. Young professionals dominate.
Cooper-Young (Part of Midtown)	Quaint, historic, and deeply artistic. Tight-knit community feel.	$1,100 - $1,300	The best for the artist who values community. The annual Cooper-Young Festival is a massive networking event.
East Memphis (Poplar Corridor)	More suburban, corporate. Close to major employers like FedEx and AutoZone.	$1,000 - $1,200	The practical choice. Shorter commute to corporate headquarters, quieter, more family-friendly.
Berclair/Binghampton	Up-and-coming, diverse, and affordable. Gentrifying but still has a gritty, authentic charm.	$900 - $1,100	Great for designers on a budget who want to buy a home later. Close to the growing arts scene on Broad Avenue.

Insider Tip: If your first job is at FedEx or AutoZone in East Memphis, live in East Memphis or Bartlett to avoid the stressful I-40 commute. If you land at an agency downtown, Midtown or Downtown is worth the extra rent for the lifestyle.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 3% tells you this isn’t a “blow-up” market, but a “steady climb” one. To advance, you must specialize.

Specialty Premiums:

• UX/UI Design: This is the biggest growth area. Designers with UX skills can command $10,000-$15,000 above the median. This is critical for tech-adjacent roles (e.g., fintech, logistics software).
• Motion Graphics: With the rise of video content, motion designers are in high demand at agencies like Archer>Malmo. Can add a 5-10% salary premium.
• Print & Packaging: Memphis’s manufacturing and corporate base keeps this niche alive. Expertise in packaging for brands like L’Oreal or FedEx is a stable, well-paid path.

Advancement Paths:

1. Corporate Ladder: Designer → Senior Designer → Art Director → Creative Director. This path offers stability, good benefits, and a predictable salary increase.
2. Agency Ladder: Designer → Senior Designer → Associate Creative Director → Creative Director. Faster pace, higher pressure, but more portfolio diversity and potential for higher bonuses.
3. Freelance/Consulting: After 5+ years of agency/corporate experience, many designers go freelance. With a strong local network (from AIGA and client projects), you can build a steady client base. The risk is higher, but the earning potential can exceed $100,000.

10-Year Outlook: Memphis’s design market will grow slowly but surely. The key drivers will be the continued expansion of the healthcare sector and the digital transformation of legacy industries (logistics, manufacturing). Designers who adapt to digital and UX will future-proof their careers here.

The Verdict: Is Memphis Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low cost of living allows for a comfortable lifestyle on a median salary.	Salaries are below national average; requires budgeting to get ahead.
Stable, diverse employer base (healthcare, logistics, corporate).	Job growth is slow (3%); fewer opportunities than in Nashville or Austin.
Rich, authentic music and arts culture (Blues, Soul, Stax, Brooks Museum).	Can feel like a “big small town”; networking is crucial and takes time.
Friendly, tight-knit creative community (AIGA, Cooper-Young).	Public transit is limited; a car is a necessity.
Great neighborhoods with character at affordable rents.	Some areas are still grappling with poverty and public school issues.

Final Recommendation:
Memphis is an excellent choice for a Graphic Designer who values quality of life over chasing the highest salary. It’s ideal for:

• The designer who wants to own a home within 5 years.
• The creative who thrives in a community-oriented, artsy environment (not a competitive, anonymous city).
• The professional seeking a stable, corporate role with good work-life balance.

If your primary goal is to be at the cutting edge of the tech scene or to earn a top-tier national salary, Nashville or a coastal city might be a better fit. But if you want a place where you can build a meaningful career, be part of a genuine creative community, and afford a great life, Memphis is a hidden gem.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car to live in Memphis as a graphic designer?
Yes, absolutely. While Midtown and Downtown are somewhat walkable, most employers (FedEx, AutoZone, Methodist) are in suburban office parks with no public transit. A reliable car is non-negotiable.

2. Is it hard to break into the Memphis design scene as an outsider?
It can be, but it’s not insurmountable. The key is to join AIGA Memphis immediately and attend every event. The local design community is friendly but values long-term relationships. Show you’re committed to the city, not just using it as a stepping stone.

3. How competitive is the job market for entry-level designers?
Moderately competitive. You’ll be competing with graduates from the University of Memphis’s excellent art program and relocating designers. A standout portfolio with 2-3 strong projects is essential. Consider taking a junior role at a print shop or in-house at a smaller company to get your foot in the door.

4. What’s the best way to network in Memphis?
Beyond AIGA, frequent the Cooper-Young and Broad Avenue Arts District. Go to openings at The Brooks Museum or The Dixon Gallery and Gardens. The Memphis creative community is small; you’ll see the same faces. Be genuine, not transactional.

5. Can I work remotely for a company outside Memphis?
Yes, and this is a growing trend. Many Memphis-based designers freelance for clients in Nashville, Atlanta, and even Chicago. However, the local job market is still largely based on in-house and local agency roles. Remote work is a great supplement, but not the primary source for most.