2024 Data

Office Clerk Salary in Memphis, TN: $34,328 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $16.50/hour | $21,687 - $47,926 range

Median Annual Salary

$34,328

13.7% vs national

Hourly Rate

$16.50

/hour

Jobs in Area

1,417

employed

Salary Range$21,687 - $47,926
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Memphis, TN

$34,328

San Jose, CA

$54,871

$20,543 more (+59.8%)

in San Jose, CA

Office Clerk Salary Range in Memphis, TN

Annual Salary Range

$34k

$22k

10th percentile

$29k

25th

$40k

75th

$48k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$21,687$10.43
25th Percentile$28,840$13.87
Median (50th Percentile)$34,328$16.50
75th Percentile$40,316$19.38
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$47,926$23.04
Average (Mean)$36,691$17.64

Office Clerk Market Insights for Memphis, TN

Compensation Overview

Office Clerk compensation in Memphis, TN aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $21,687 to $47,926 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Memphis, TN offers a lower cost of living compared to major coastal metros, meaning your salary stretches further here. Many professionals find that moderate salaries in Tennessee provide comparable or better quality of life than higher-paying positions in expensive cities.

Cost of Living Impact

After adjusting for local cost of living, your effective purchasing power is approximately 14% higher than the nominal salary suggests. This means Memphis, TN offers strong real earning potential for this role.

Career Outlook

The Office Clerk profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 121% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 40% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-14%

vs National Avg

-14%

vs State Avg

121%

Salary Range

1,417

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Office Clerk salary growth in Memphis, TN based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$21,687

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$28,840

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$34,328

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$40,316

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$47,926

/year

Next Career Steps

Common career progressions from Office Clerk:

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Office Clerk Job Market in Memphis, TN

Where Office Clerks Work

Office Clerks work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

The Memphis, TN area maintains a healthy employment base for this occupation, with opportunities distributed across multiple employers. This provides job stability and career mobility without the intense competition found in major metros.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Memphis, TN

  • Research major employers in the Memphis area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Tennessee
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Memphis, TN market rate of $34,328
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $21,687 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median office clerk salary in Memphis, TN is $34,328 per year ($16.50/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $21,687 for entry-level positions to $47,926 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level office clerks in Memphis, TN typically start at around $21,687 per year ($10.43/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $34,328 within 3-5 years.

Office Clerks in Memphis, TN earn a median hourly wage of $16.50 per hour. Hourly rates range from $10.43/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $23.04/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $21,687 and $47,926.

The median office clerk salary of $34,328 in Memphis, TN is below the national median of $39,770 (13.7% lower). Plus, the cost of living is 12% below the national average, stretching your salary further. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of office clerks in the area earn more and half earn less.

Office Clerks in Memphis, TN earn below the national average. The local median salary of $34,328 is 13.7% lower than the national median of $39,770. Plus, the cost of living is 12% below the national average, stretching your salary further. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $39,098.

The top 10% of office clerks in Memphis, TN earn $47,926 or more per year ($23.04/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $40,316, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost office clerk salary in Memphis, TN include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $34,328, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($40,316) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Memphis, TN has a moderate job market for office clerks, with approximately 1,417 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $34,328 is below the national average. Plus, the cost of living is 12% below the national average, stretching your salary further. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your office clerk salary to these Memphis, TN benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $21,687, 25th percentile: $28,840, 50th percentile (median): $34,328, 75th percentile: $40,316, 90th percentile (top earners): $47,926. If you earn more than $34,328, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $34,328 median base salary, office clerks in Memphis, TN typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced office clerks with 5-10 years in Memphis, TN typically earn $40,316 (75th percentile) to $47,926 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $47,926. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $34,328.

Office Clerks in Memphis, TN can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($21,687) to median ($34,328) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($47,926) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $26,239 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Memphis

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

43-9061

SOC Classification

Sample Size

1,417

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Office Clerk in Memphis, TN

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Median: $34,328/yr

How Memphis, TN Compares

vs National Average

$39,770

-13.7%

vs Tennessee Average

$40,089

-14.4%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$39,098

+13.9%

Cost of living in Memphis, TN is 12.2% below the national average.

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