MATA Job Fairs Nov. 17, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1: Memphis Bus Operator Jobs Start at $24.06 an Hour

MEMPHIS, TN — The Memphis Area Transit Authority is taking its recruiting on the road, one library branch at a time. MATA job fairs run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orange Mound Library on Tuesday, November 17, Frayser Library on Tuesday, November 24 and the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library on Tuesday, December 1. MATA's own careers site lists fixed route bus operators starting at $24.06 an hour.

Three Tuesdays, three neighborhoods, four hours each. Pick the branch closest to you and talk to the people who run the buses.

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📍 At a Glance

Event	MATA Job Fair at Memphis Public Libraries
Stop 1	Tuesday, November 17, 2026: Orange Mound Library, 843 Dallas St., Memphis, TN 38114
Stop 2	Tuesday, November 24, 2026: Frayser Library, 2220 James Rd., Memphis, TN 38127
Stop 3	Tuesday, December 1, 2026: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38111
Time	10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at every stop
Format	In person: explore open positions and meet the MATA team
Registration	None mentioned in the library's listing
Employer	MATA, operated by Mid-South Transportation Management, Inc.

💼 The Jobs MATA Is Filling

The Memphis Public Libraries announcement doesn't name specific openings, so treat the fair as a conversation with recruiters rather than a guaranteed interview. MATA's recruiting site, go901careers.com, puts three roles up front:

Fixed Route Operator: drives the regular bus routes. Listed starting pay is $24.06 an hour.
MATAplus Operator: drives the paratransit service for riders with disabilities. Listed starting pay is $18.35 an hour.
Diesel Mechanic: keeps the fleet running. Listed starting pay is $29.32 an hour, with a diesel technical certificate preferred.

The site also mentions a 401(k), health coverage and hiring bonuses for select positions. It doesn't say which positions or how much, so ask at the table.

⚠️ Know the License Rules Before You Go

This is the part that saves a wasted trip. MATA's careers site says drivers need a Class A or Class B commercial driver's license with a passenger (P) endorsement to be considered for a driving position. The individual role descriptions word it more softly: they call the CDL with a P endorsement "preferred," and the MATAplus listing asks for a valid driver's license with an F endorsement at hire.

Those two statements don't fully line up, so don't rule yourself out, and don't assume you're in either. If you don't hold a CDL yet, the fair is the right place to ask whether MATA will consider you for MATAplus or for a training path. If you do hold one, bring it, along with your driving record if you have a copy.

📋 Which Stop, and How to Show Up Ready

Same employer, same hours, three different parts of town. Orange Mound Library on Dallas Street is the closest for Midtown, Orange Mound and East Memphis. Frayser Library on James Road serves North Memphis, Frayser and Raleigh. The Central Library on Poplar is the easiest reach from almost anywhere along the bus network, and it's the last chance before December.

Bring printed resumes. Several copies.
Bring your license. A CDL, endorsements and medical card if you have them.
Know your availability. Transit runs early mornings, nights and weekends, and recruiters will ask.

Can't make a Tuesday? MATA also takes applications online through its job board and in person at the William Hudson, Airways and American Way transit centers, according to its careers page.

Also on November 17: KP Staffing is holding an assembly hiring event at the American Job Center in Crosstown that same morning. Different event, different employer, different jobs. See the details here.

🔎 Search Transit and Driving Jobs Now

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where are the MATA job fairs?

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17 at Orange Mound Library, 843 Dallas St.; Tuesday, November 24 at Frayser Library, 2220 James Rd.; and Tuesday, December 1 at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.

Do I need to register?

The library's listing invites job seekers to stop by and doesn't mention registration. You can also call the branch ahead of time to confirm.

How much does MATA pay bus drivers?

MATA's recruiting site lists $24.06 an hour to start for fixed route operators and $18.35 for MATAplus operators. Diesel mechanics are listed at $29.32.

Do I need a CDL to drive for MATA?

MATA's careers site says driving positions require a Class A or B CDL with a passenger endorsement, while the role descriptions call it preferred. Ask a recruiter at the fair where you stand.

Get on the Route to Your Next Job

Create a free LocalJobPage account to get alerts when new driving, transit and maintenance jobs post around Memphis. You can also browse the Memphis Career Center for role-by-role guides.

Employers: Post your openings on Memphis LocalJobPage and reach local job seekers directly.