Oakland, TN and the Memphis region offers a diverse, metropolitan workforce at wage rates that are lower than most other parts of the country. The region is home to a host of world-class higher education institutions, the largest community college in Tennessee, a number of public and private vocational and technical training facilities and a long list of quality public and private school systems. Over the past three decades, the presence of companies like FedEx and the region’s superior distribution infrastructure have earned Memphis the title, “America’s Distribution Center.” During the same period the region’s workforce has a higher percentage of logistics workers than any other metropolitan area in the country.
Not only does Memphis draw from a three-state labor pool (Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area), employment ranges across the spectrum of industries. Employment is relatively balanced among industries giving the Memphis workforce breadth in both skills and experience. Here’s a quick look at the Memphis metro workforce in November 2011 (latest non-preliminary data available):
To learn more about the Memphis regional workforce,visit the Greater Memphis Chamber's website.
Estimate | Percent | |
Civilian employed population 16 years and over | 3158 | |
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining | 15 | 0.5 |
Construction | 153 | 4.8 |
Manufacturing | 450 | 14.2 |
Wholesale trade | 136 | 4.3 |
Retail trade | 339 | 10.7 |
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities | 293 | 9.3 |
Information | 60 | 1.9 |
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing | 232 | 7.3 |
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services | 305 | 9.7 |
Educational services, and health care and social assistance | 620 | 19.6 |
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services | 207 | 6.6 |
Other services, except public administration | 104 | 3.3 |
Public administration | 244 | 7.7 |
Data compiled: 5/25/2012
Source:American Fact Finder