Healthcare & Medical Jobs in Memphis, TN
A short stretch of Union and Jefferson avenues in the Medical District is home to Methodist University, Le Bonheur Children's, Regional One Health and the Memphis VA. The guides below cover every healthcare and medical role in Memphis, who is hiring and what it pays.
Why Healthcare Work Is Different in Memphis
Memphis is a logistics town first, but healthcare is its other big employer, and it is unusually concentrated. The Medical District east of downtown packs Methodist University Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Regional One Health, the Memphis VA Medical Center on Jefferson Avenue, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Baptist Health Sciences University into a single corridor, with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital just north on Danny Thomas Place. East Memphis adds Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis on Walnut Grove Road and Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis on Park Avenue, and the two big nonprofit systems run hospitals and clinics out through Germantown, Collierville, Whitehaven and north Memphis. Healthcare practitioners make up 6.5 percent of jobs in the metro, above the national share, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The specialty mix shapes the work. Regional One runs the Elvis Presley Trauma Center, the Firefighters Burn Center and the Sheldon B. Korones Newborn Center, so trauma, burn and neonatal skills are in demand, while Le Bonheur and St. Jude make Memphis a center for pediatric and oncology care. The market is also tri-state. Baptist and Methodist both run hospitals in Southaven and Olive Branch in DeSoto County, Mississippi, so job seekers compare offers on both sides of the state line, and licensed staff need the license that each site requires. Pay for most roles runs below national averages, according to federal wage data.
Top Healthcare & Medical Employers in Memphis
These employers had healthcare openings or active recruiting on their own career sites this month:
- Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare - the largest healthcare recruiter in the city, running Methodist University, Le Bonheur Children's, Methodist North, Methodist South and Germantown hospitals.
- Baptist Memorial Health Care - hires nurses, LPNs and patient care staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, Collierville, DeSoto and its Baptist Medical Group clinics.
- Regional One Health - the Medical District safety-net hospital with the region's trauma, burn and newborn centers, plus extended care and rehab.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - the pediatric research hospital hires nurses, LPNs and clinical staff for inpatient units and outpatient clinics.
- Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis - the East Memphis hospital posts nursing, lab, imaging and medical assistant roles through Tenet and its physician network.
- Memphis VA Medical Center - the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center on Jefferson Avenue hires nurses, physicians and clinical staff through USAJOBS.
Healthcare & Medical Career Paths in Memphis
- Nursing and direct patient care - Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Technician. This is the largest track in Memphis and has the clearest ladder, from aide to LPN to RN.
- Clinical and technical roles - Medical Laboratory Technician, Phlebotomist, Radiologic Technologist, Surgical Technologist, Respiratory Therapist and Pharmacy Technician. These roles staff the labs, imaging suites and operating rooms of the Medical District hospitals.
- Clinic and office roles - Medical Assistant, Medical Receptionist, Medical Biller and Coder, and Dental Assistant. Physician practices across East Memphis, Germantown and Collierville rely on these roles to keep clinics running.
- Emergency, therapy and behavioral health - EMT and Paramedic, Physical Therapy Assistant and Behavioral Health Technician, plus the Healthcare overview guide for the big picture.
How to Start a Healthcare & Medical Career in Memphis
- Practical nursing at TCAT Memphis - Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis at 550 Alabama Avenue runs a practical nursing program with full approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
- Associate degree in nursing at Southwest Tennessee Community College - the Union Avenue Campus offers a generic nursing track plus LPN Mobility and Paramedic Mobility tracks into registered nursing.
- BSN programs - the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing and Baptist Health Sciences University on Monroe Avenue both offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- Tennessee Board of Nursing license - RNs and LPNs must pass the NCLEX and hold a Tennessee or multistate compact license, or a Mississippi-valid license for DeSoto County sites.
- Basic Life Support certification - Memphis hospitals ask for American Heart Association BLS for nursing and many clinical roles.
A nursing license is legally required to work as an RN or LPN, while BLS certification and prior experience are employer requirements that vary by role and hospital.
Healthcare & Medical Salaries in Memphis
- Entry - about $15 to $19 an hour for nursing assistants, medical assistants and other support roles.
- Mid - roughly $24 to $31 an hour for licensed practical nurses and experienced clinical staff.
- Senior - about $38 to $54 an hour for registered nurses, more for specialty, charge and flex roles.
These are estimates based on federal wage data for the Memphis metro and pay posted by local employers. Hospitals generally pay more than physician offices, and night shifts, critical care and pediatric specialty units pay more still. Benefits differ by employer: Methodist Le Bonheur lists a 403(b) with matching contributions and tuition assistance, Baptist Memorial offers education assistance and individualized nursing orientation, and St. Jude offers paid relocation for qualified RNs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the largest healthcare employers in Memphis?
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Health Care run the largest hospital networks. Regional One Health, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis and the Memphis VA Medical Center are also major employers, most of them in the Medical District or East Memphis.
Which healthcare jobs in Memphis need a license?
Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses must be licensed by the Tennessee Board of Nursing or hold a valid multistate compact license. Many support roles, such as medical receptionist or patient care staff, rely on certificates or employer training instead.
How much do healthcare workers earn in Memphis?
Federal wage data puts the Memphis median near $18 an hour for nursing assistants and medical assistants, about $28 for LPNs and about $39 for registered nurses. Specialty, night and flex roles pay more.
Can I train for a healthcare job in Memphis without a four-year degree?
Yes. TCAT Memphis offers practical nursing, and Southwest Tennessee Community College offers the associate degree in nursing on its Union Avenue Campus. Many hospitals also train patient care and support staff on the job.
Do Memphis healthcare employers hire in Mississippi too?
Yes. Baptist and Methodist both run hospitals in Southaven and Olive Branch, and they post jobs there alongside their Memphis openings. Licensed nurses should confirm the license each site requires before applying.
Ready to get started? Browse all current healthcare and medical job openings in Memphis, TN on LocalJobPage.