Finance · Memphis, TN

Bookkeeper Salary in Memphis, TN (2026)

Median Bookkeeper salary in Memphis is approximately $41,800/year — 11.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Memphis

$41,800
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$20
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,608
Monthly
$3,483
Annual (gross)
$41,800
vs Tennessee state average
State avg: $43,200
-$1,400
vs US national
National median: $47,000
-$5,200

After-tax estimate

$32,750
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$41,800
Federal tax (~14%)
−$5,852
FICA (7.65%)
−$3,198
Tennessee state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$32,750
Monthly take-home
$2,729
For exact take-home, use our Memphis Paycheck Calculator.
Bookkeeper salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Memphis
Oklahoma City, OK0.89×$41,800+$0
Lincoln, NE0.89×$41,800+$0
Indianapolis, IN0.90×$42,300+$500
Louisville, KY0.90×$42,300+$500
Birmingham, AL0.88×$41,400-$400

Bookkeeper salaries in Memphis, TN

The estimated median Bookkeeper salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $41,800/year, working out to approximately $20/hour at full-time, $1,608 per biweekly paycheck, or $3,483/month before taxes. Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.89× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Tennessee state average for this role ($43,200), Memphis pays about $1,400 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Memphis

Of the gross $41,800, you take home roughly $32,750 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Tennessee state income tax (none)
  • Memphis has no local income tax

That works out to about $2,729/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Memphis Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Memphis pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Memphis typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Memphis employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Bookkeeper Salary in Tennessee — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Memphis Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Bookkeeper salary in Memphis?
The estimated median Bookkeeper salary in Memphis, Tennessee is $41,800 per year, or approximately $20/hour at standard full-time. Memphis sits 11.0% below the US national average for this role.
Memphis vs Tennessee state — what's the salary difference?
Memphis: $41,800. Tennessee state average for Bookkeeper: $43,200. Difference: -$1,400 (3.2%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Memphis have a city income tax?
No, Memphis has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Tennessee state tax apply (Tennessee has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Memphis's cost of living relative to the US average. Memphis's multiplier is 0.89× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Bookkeeper in Memphis?
Estimate: $32,750/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Tennessee state tax (~0.0% effective), and Memphis local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Memphis Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.