Average salary in Mississippi

The sheer size of Mississippi makes it difficult to define a ‘good’ salary. The Magnolia State is home to cities with varying costs of living, yet earnings can vary massively. Whether you already live in Mississippi or are thinking of making the move, it can be helpful to establish what the financial landscape looks like.

Numerous sources rank Mississippi as one of the more affordable states in the country to live in. Niche.com places it in the top 10 for affordability, with a cost of living index well below the national average. Accordingly, we can expect the average salaries to be lower than some other states—though there are still opportunities for high-paying jobs. The earning potential available in Mississippi may be an incentive for some to head to the Deep South. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries?

Average salary in Mississippi by city

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Mississippi’s own cities can vary in average salary; Southaven commands just under $65,000, while Jackson’s average sits below $37,000.

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Mississippi, which you can find ranked below.

Average salary in Mississippi by county

Reviewing average salaries in Mississippi by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Mississippi by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.

Highest paying jobs in Mississippi

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Mississippi: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Mississippi

What is the average salary in Mississippi by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Mississippi are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $35,512, householders aged 25 to 44 have a median income of $53,440, those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $61,823, and those 65 and older have a median income of $43,991.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Mississippi?
The median household income in Mississippi is $47,158. However, defining what is a ‘good’ salary in Mississippi can depend on various factors like location, lifestyle, and family size. For instance, a $70,000 salary can be a good salary for a single person living in a small town, but it might not be enough for a family of four living in an expensive urban area.

What is the average salary in Mississippi by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Mississippi is $21.68.

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