Quick Answer: Blue Collar Jobs in Memphis, TN (October 2026)
Last updated: October 2026
Memphis blue collar hiring runs on logistics. Transportation and material moving jobs make up 17.1 percent of local employment, nearly double the 8.8 percent national share, per BLS May 2025 data. That is 104,600 jobs averaging $23.81 an hour. Installation, maintenance and repair roles pay more, averaging $30.38 an hour, close to the national $30.44. Drivers, diesel technicians, forklift operators and maintenance mechanics see the most openings.
Memphis is one of the largest logistics and freight hubs in the country, and that shows up in the job listings. Warehouse, truck driving, diesel repair, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding and construction employers all hire here. This page lists open blue collar jobs in Memphis, Tennessee, and explains pay sources, licensing and where to look first.
Blue Collar Trades Hiring in Memphis
The Memphis area is a major distribution center with rail, river, interstate and air cargo access. That keeps demand steady for drivers, diesel technicians, forklift operators, maintenance mechanics and warehouse staff. Construction and building trades also hire across Shelby County and the surrounding suburbs.
Transportation and Logistics
Local, regional and over-the-road driving jobs are common. Employers look for a CDL, a clean driving record and a DOT medical card. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes national pay and outlook data for truck drivers.
Diesel and Industrial Maintenance
Fleets and distribution centers need diesel technicians and maintenance mechanics to keep equipment running. See the BLS profile for diesel service technicians and mechanics.
Construction, Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing
Residential and commercial builders hire carpenters, electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, welders and laborers. Many employers take entry-level workers and train them through apprenticeships. Browse our guides on construction jobs, electrical jobs, HVAC jobs and plumbing jobs.
Pay for Blue Collar Jobs in Memphis
Pay depends on the trade, your certifications, shift and employer. For wage data by occupation and metro area, use the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tables and look up the Memphis metropolitan area. Job listings on this board show the pay range when the employer posts it. Our guide to the highest paying blue collar careers compares trades side by side.
Licensing and Training in Tennessee
Requirements differ by trade. Truck drivers need the right class of CDL. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors are licensed at the state or local level, and many start as apprentices working under a licensed professional. Forklift and equipment operators usually complete employer training, and OSHA publishes outreach training information for construction and general industry safety. To find registered programs, search Apprenticeship.gov.
Where the Work Is in the Memphis Area
Memphis and Shelby County
Distribution centers, freight terminals, manufacturing plants and large construction projects are concentrated here. Warehouse, driving and maintenance roles post often.
Southaven and DeSoto County, Mississippi
Just south of the state line, large warehouse campuses hire many workers who live in Memphis. Check both sides of the line when you search.
Collierville, Germantown and Bartlett
Eastern suburbs hire for residential construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical and facility maintenance.
How to Get Hired in Memphis
Start with the jobs listed on this page, then set up a job alert so new Memphis openings reach your inbox. Keep your CDL, safety cards and work history ready, and apply quickly to postings that match your skills. Read our interview tips for blue collar workers before your first call. Browse every opening on the BC Recruits jobs board.
Employers hiring in Memphis can post a job or see hiring services for employers.
The practical read: warehouse and driving roles are the easiest way in because there are so many, and maintenance mechanic, diesel and electrical work is where pay climbs toward the $30 an hour mark. Browse current openings on the BC Recruits job board or create a free job seeker profile. Memphis employers can post a job here.
The pay ladder runs upward from there. Installation, maintenance and repair occupations make up 4.2 percent of Memphis employment, above the 3.9 percent national share, and average $30.38 an hour, about $6.57 more than the transportation average. Nationally, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median of $58,640 with 4 percent projected growth through 2035 (BLS: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers), and electricians earn $63,190 (BLS: Electricians).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 release for Memphis, TN-MS-AR shows how unusual the local job mix is. Transportation and material moving employs 104,600 people, 17.1 percent of all local jobs against 8.8 percent nationally, at a mean wage of $23.81 an hour or $49,520 a year. Aircraft service attendants are concentrated at 3.56 times the national rate and industrial truck and tractor operators at 2.61 times, which fits a metro built around air cargo and warehouse distribution (BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages in Memphis, May 2025).
Memphis Logistics Pay: October 2026 Snapshot
Memphis Blue Collar Jobs FAQ
What blue collar jobs are in demand in Memphis?
Truck drivers, warehouse and forklift workers, diesel technicians, maintenance mechanics, electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers and construction laborers are listed most often.
Do I need experience to get hired?
Many warehouse, laborer and apprentice roles accept entry-level applicants. Licensed trades and CDL driving roles ask for certifications or on-the-job training.
How can I find pay rates for Memphis jobs?
Check the pay range in each listing, then compare it with the BLS wage tables for the Memphis metro area.
Can I find apprenticeships in Memphis?
Yes. Search registered programs on Apprenticeship.gov and ask employers on this board whether they train new hires.
Resources
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics | Apprenticeship.gov | OSHA Outreach Training