Tennessee · No State Income Tax · 2026

Memphis Salary Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate your exact take-home pay in Memphis, Tennessee. No state income tax means more of your salary stays with you.

$52,000 Avg. Memphis Salary
$0 Tennessee State Income Tax
$3,664 Est. Monthly Take-Home

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Take-Home Pay

Memphis · 2026 Tax Year

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⭐ Tennessee has zero state income tax
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Your Pay Stub

Enter your pay details to generate a personalized earnings statement.

  • Federal income tax (2026 brackets)
  • Social Security & Medicare
  • Pre-tax 401(k) & health insurance
  • Tennessee state income tax: $0.00

Salaries & Take-Home Pay in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is the logistics capital of America — FedEx's global headquarters and the world's second-busiest cargo airport make it the hub of the world's supply chain. The city also hosts major healthcare systems and manufacturing operations. Despite lower average salaries, the extremely affordable cost of living preserves strong purchasing power.

The average salary in Memphis is approximately $52,000/year. Because Tennessee has no state income tax, Memphis workers keep significantly more of their paycheck than counterparts in high-tax states. On the average Memphis salary, a single filer owes an estimated $4,060 in federal income tax (7.8% effective rate) plus $3,224 Social Security and $754 Medicare — a combined total of ~$8,038.

This leaves an estimated annual take-home of $43,962 — approximately $3,664/month or $1,691 per bi-weekly paycheck (before optional 401k and health insurance deductions).

Typical Memphis Salary Breakdown (single filer, no extra deductions)

Gross Annual Salary $52,000
Federal Standard Deduction −$16,100
Federal Taxable Income $35,900
Federal Income Tax (7.8% effective) −$4,060
Social Security (6.2%) −$3,224
Medicare (1.45%) −$754
Tennessee State Income Tax $0.00 — None
Estimated Annual Take-Home $43,962

Industries & Employers in Memphis

Memphis's economy is driven by Logistics & Distribution, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage. Major employers include FedEx (global HQ), Baptist Memorial Health Care, AutoZone, International Paper, Thomas & Betts.

Logistics & DistributionHealthcareManufacturingFood & Beverage

Cost of Living in Memphis

Memphis's cost of living is very low — well below the national average. This makes Memphis one of the most affordable cities in Tennessee. Your $43,962 take-home pay has substantially greater purchasing power here — housing, groceries, and transportation all trend well below the US average.

Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville → Knoxville → Chattanooga → Clarksville → Murfreesboro → Franklin → Brentwood → Smyrna → Hendersonville →
View All Tennessee Cities

Memphis Salary & Tax FAQ

What is the average salary in Memphis, Tennessee?
The average salary in Memphis is approximately $52,000 per year. The city's dominant industries — Logistics & Distribution, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage — drive strong demand for skilled professionals. Major employers include FedEx (global HQ), Baptist Memorial Health Care, AutoZone, International Paper, Thomas & Betts. Memphis is the logistics capital of America — FedEx's global headquarters and the world's second-busiest cargo airport make it the hub of the world's supply chain. The city also hosts major healthcare systems and manufacturing operations. Despite lower average salaries, the extremely affordable cost of living preserves strong purchasing power.
How much of a $52,000 salary goes to taxes in Memphis?
On a $52,000 annual salary in Memphis (single filer, standard deduction, no other deductions):
  • Federal income tax: $4,060 (7.8% effective rate)
  • Social Security (6.2%): $3,224
  • Medicare (1.45%): $754
  • Tennessee state income tax: $0.00 — Tennessee has no state income tax
Total taxes: ~$8,038. Estimated take-home: $43,962/year — about $3,664/month or $1,691 bi-weekly. Use the calculator above to model your exact situation.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax in 2026?
No. Tennessee is one of only nine US states with no state income tax — Tennessee has never taxed earned wages — the former investment income tax was fully eliminated. Memphis residents only owe federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). There is no Tennessee withholding line on your paycheck.
What federal tax bracket do Memphis workers fall into at the average salary?
At $52,000, a single filer in Memphis has taxable income of $35,900 after the $16,100 standard deduction. This places you primarily in the 12% marginal bracket. However, your effective (average) federal rate is approximately 7.8% — much lower than 12% — because income in the lower brackets (10%, 12%) is taxed at those lower rates first. Only dollars above each threshold are taxed at the higher rate.
How does Memphis's cost of living affect my take-home pay?
Memphis's cost of living is very low — well below the national average. This makes Memphis one of the most affordable cities in Tennessee. Your $43,962 take-home pay has substantially greater purchasing power here — housing, groceries, and transportation all trend well below the US average.
What industries and employers pay the most in Memphis, TN?
Memphis's economy is anchored by Logistics & Distribution, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage. Key employers include FedEx (global HQ), Baptist Memorial Health Care, AutoZone, International Paper, Thomas & Betts. The Logistics & Distribution sector tends to drive the highest compensation, particularly for engineers, project managers, and experienced professionals. Entry-level roles typically earn below the $52,000 average, while senior technical and management roles often exceed it significantly.
How can I reduce my taxes and increase take-home pay in Memphis?
Since Tennessee eliminates state income tax, focus on reducing federal taxable income:
  • Traditional 401(k) contributions — reduce federal taxable income dollar-for-dollar. At your 12% marginal bracket, every $1,000 contributed saves approximately $120 in federal taxes.
  • Pre-tax employer health insurance — reduces both federal income tax and Social Security + Medicare taxable wages, giving you savings on all three taxes.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) — available with a high-deductible health plan; contributions reduce taxable income and grow tax-free when used for medical costs.
  • Dependent Care Account — many employers offer pre-tax childcare reimbursement accounts that reduce your taxable wages.
Use the calculator above to model 401(k) and health insurance contributions and see their impact on your Memphis take-home pay.

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

NashvilleKnoxvilleChattanoogaClarksville All Tennessee cities →