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Federal Government Employee Salary in Memphis, TN — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Memphis's cost of living (index: 84). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Federal Government Employee Salary in Memphis — Key Numbers

$81,480
Median Salary
$53,760
25th Percentile
$113,400
75th Percentile
$147,000
90th Percentile
National median (Federal Government Employee)$97,000
vs. National median-16.0%
Memphis median household income$50,200
vs. City household income+62.3%

Cost of Living in Memphis

Cost of Living Index
84(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$908/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio13.4%
Annual rent cost$10,896
Median Home Price$195,000
Home Price / Salary2.4×
20% Down Payment$39,000
Years to save (20% rate)2.4 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Memphis

5.4%
Unemployment Rate
1,360,000
Metro Population
24 min
Avg Commute
35.4
Median Age

Memphis has a metro population of 1,360,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 5.4% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Memphis

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Cost of Living — Memphis
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Federal Government Employee Salary in Tennessee
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Memphis

Physician$192,612Chief Executive Officer$176,400Dentist$147,428IT Manager$142,388Marketing Manager$132,401Lawyer$122,438

Federal Government Employee Salary — Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN$108,640Knoxville, TN$90,210Chattanooga, TN$89,240Clarksville, TN$86,330

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Federal Government Employee make in Memphis, TN?

The estimated median salary for a Federal Government Employee in Memphis is $81,480 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $97,000 adjusted by Memphis's cost of living index (84). The typical salary range runs from $53,760 (25th percentile) to $113,400 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $147,000.

Is Memphis affordable for a Federal Government Employee?

On a $81,480 annual salary, a Federal Government Employee in Memphis would spend approximately 13.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($908/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Memphis relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $195,000 is 2.4× the annual salary.

How does a Federal Government Employee's salary compare to Memphis's overall income?

Memphis's median household income is $50,200. A Federal Government Employee earning the city-adjusted median of $81,480 earns 62.3% more than the typical Memphis household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Federal Government Employee — NationalFederal Government Employee in TennesseeAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.