HOURLY WAGE INDEX
Let’s talk wages in Memphis
What is the minimum wage in Memphis?
The current minimum wage in Memphis, Tennessee is $7.25 per hour. This is the same as the federal minimum wage, which has not been increased since 2009. The minimum wage in Memphis is lower than the national average of $7.50 per hour. In recent years, there have been several proposals to increase the minimum wage in Memphis. In 2019, the Memphis City Council voted to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. However, this ordinance was vetoed by the mayor.
What is the living wage in Memphis?
The livable wage in Memphis is estimated to be $15.37 per hour for one adult with no children. This means that a worker earning the minimum wage would need to work more than 40 hours per week to afford a basic standard of living.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
What is a good hourly wage?
This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area. Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:
- Short, easy to understand job descriptions
- Mobile-friendliness
- Quick communication
- Streamlined interview stages
Resources
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