Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Mississippi

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Mississippi run 13.0% below the national average (2024), so a Mississippi salary is worth about 1.15× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Mississippi.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Mississippi

OccupationMedian, Mississippi · Real change since 2019

1Telemarketers$21,540
No formal educational credential
$19,780 – $29,800-46.9%-33.1% nominal
2Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$74,990
Bachelor's degree
$46,750 – $123,010-31.7%-14.0% nominal
3Real Estate Sales Agents$39,550
High school diploma or equivalent
$20,950 – $94,500-30.4%-12.3% nominal
4Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$34,900
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,960 – $60,860-30.2%-12.1% nominal
5Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$49,360
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,760 – $79,680-28.4%-9.8% nominal
6Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$36,330
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,190 – $45,690-26.9%-7.9% nominal
7Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$75,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$66,190 – $98,100-26.0%-6.8% nominal
8Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42,660
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,440 – $63,620-23.8%-4.0% nominal
9Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$38,000
Associate's degree
$30,390 – $82,330-22.7%-2.6% nominal
10Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$37,390
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,470 – $57,820-22.4%-2.3% nominal
11Business Teachers, Postsecondary$75,680
Doctoral or professional degree
$34,450 – $159,370-22.2%-2.0% nominal
12Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$30,540
High school diploma or equivalent
$18,720 – $63,390-21.9%-1.6% nominal
13Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$66,830
Doctoral or professional degree
$46,250 – $129,060-21.3%-0.9% nominal
14Occupational Therapy Assistants$61,650
Associate's degree
$51,920 – $78,320-21.3%-0.9% nominal
15Dentists, General$143,660
Doctoral or professional degree
$59,700 – $240,450-20.8%-0.2% nominal
16Training and Development Specialists$53,680
Bachelor's degree
$38,110 – $96,400-20.3%+0.3% nominal
17Insurance Underwriters$59,250
Bachelor's degree
$38,520 – $100,710-19.7%+1.1% nominal
18Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$60,580
Master's degree
$40,350 – $79,820-19.4%+1.5% nominal
19First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$68,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$43,370 – $112,560-18.7%+2.4% nominal
20Paralegals and Legal Assistants$46,180
Associate's degree
$35,660 – $67,960-18.3%+2.8% nominal
21Pest Control Workers$37,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,700 – $53,890-18.1%+3.1% nominal
22Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$35,770
High school diploma or equivalent
$24,200 – $61,720-18.0%+3.3% nominal
23Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$37,030
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,250 – $51,280-17.9%+3.4% nominal
24Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$48,440
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,620 – $98,430-17.6%+3.8% nominal
25Logisticians$75,160
Bachelor's degree
$47,560 – $112,830-17.5%+3.9% nominal
26Education Teachers, Postsecondary$61,860
Doctoral or professional degree
$31,440 – $103,070-17.1%+4.3% nominal
27Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$51,670
Bachelor's degree
$36,840 – $83,920-17.0%+4.5% nominal
28Insurance Sales Agents$47,930
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,910 – $104,480-17.0%+4.5% nominal
29Education Administrators, Postsecondary$86,590
Master's degree
$50,590 – $219,180-16.5%+5.1% nominal
30Special Education Teachers, Middle School$50,750
Bachelor's degree
$45,830 – $62,120-16.0%+5.8% nominal
31First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$48,250
Postsecondary nondegree award
$35,410 – $72,900-15.8%+6.0% nominal
32Glaziers$36,750
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,680 – $48,830-15.8%+6.0% nominal
33Management Analysts$69,390
Bachelor's degree
$43,370 – $131,810-15.6%+6.3% nominal
34Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$51,970
Bachelor's degree
$46,720 – $62,600-15.4%+6.5% nominal
35Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$47,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,950 – $61,010-15.3%+6.6% nominal
36Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$42,920
Some college, no degree
$29,390 – $61,590-15.2%+6.7% nominal
37Pharmacy Aides$28,380
High school diploma or equivalent
$23,130 – $41,200-15.2%+6.7% nominal
38Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$85,770
High school diploma or equivalent
$51,780 – $154,470-14.9%+7.2% nominal
39Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$82,800
Master's degree
$65,400 – $106,450-14.9%+7.2% nominal
40Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$46,610
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,790 – $72,380-14.7%+7.4% nominal
41Pharmacists$133,230
Doctoral or professional degree
$97,260 – $158,230-14.6%+7.5% nominal
42Chemical Technicians$54,580
Associate's degree
$36,150 – $81,690-14.4%+7.8% nominal
43Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$75,060
Doctoral or professional degree
$61,150 – $106,400-14.1%+8.2% nominal
44Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$50,570
Bachelor's degree
$46,600 – $60,900-14.1%+8.1% nominal
45Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$50,790
Bachelor's degree
$46,020 – $60,860-13.4%+9.1% nominal
46Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$37,820
Postsecondary nondegree award
$28,650 – $74,000-13.4%+9.1% nominal
47Lawyers$91,690
Doctoral or professional degree
$47,670 – $176,750-13.2%+9.2% nominal
48Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$64,360
High school diploma or equivalent
$26,240 – $85,520-13.1%+9.5% nominal
49Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$36,380
Associate's degree
$29,120 – $46,710-13.0%+9.6% nominal
50Detectives and Criminal Investigators$58,640
High school diploma or equivalent
$41,260 – $136,120-12.9%+9.7% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianMississippi	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	TelemarketersNo formal educational credential	$21,540	$19,780 – $29,800	-46.9%-33.1% nominal
2	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree	$74,990	$46,750 – $123,010	-31.7%-14.0% nominal
3	Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,550	$20,950 – $94,500	-30.4%-12.3% nominal
4	Healthcare Support Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34,900	$27,960 – $60,860	-30.2%-12.1% nominal
5	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,360	$30,760 – $79,680	-28.4%-9.8% nominal
6	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,330	$28,190 – $45,690	-26.9%-7.9% nominal
7	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$75,180	$66,190 – $98,100	-26.0%-6.8% nominal
8	Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42,660	$30,440 – $63,620	-23.8%-4.0% nominal
9	Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$38,000	$30,390 – $82,330	-22.7%-2.6% nominal
10	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,390	$33,470 – $57,820	-22.4%-2.3% nominal
11	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$75,680	$34,450 – $159,370	-22.2%-2.0% nominal
12	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30,540	$18,720 – $63,390	-21.9%-1.6% nominal
13	Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$66,830	$46,250 – $129,060	-21.3%-0.9% nominal
14	Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree	$61,650	$51,920 – $78,320	-21.3%-0.9% nominal
15	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$143,660	$59,700 – $240,450	-20.8%-0.2% nominal
16	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$53,680	$38,110 – $96,400	-20.3%+0.3% nominal
17	Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree	$59,250	$38,520 – $100,710	-19.7%+1.1% nominal
18	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$60,580	$40,350 – $79,820	-19.4%+1.5% nominal
19	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$68,180	$43,370 – $112,560	-18.7%+2.4% nominal
20	Paralegals and Legal AssistantsAssociate's degree	$46,180	$35,660 – $67,960	-18.3%+2.8% nominal
21	Pest Control WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,200	$28,700 – $53,890	-18.1%+3.1% nominal
22	Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, VegetationHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,770	$24,200 – $61,720	-18.0%+3.3% nominal
23	Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,030	$30,250 – $51,280	-17.9%+3.4% nominal
24	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,440	$31,620 – $98,430	-17.6%+3.8% nominal
25	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$75,160	$47,560 – $112,830	-17.5%+3.9% nominal
26	Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$61,860	$31,440 – $103,070	-17.1%+4.3% nominal
27	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$51,670	$36,840 – $83,920	-17.0%+4.5% nominal
28	Insurance Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,930	$31,910 – $104,480	-17.0%+4.5% nominal
29	Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$86,590	$50,590 – $219,180	-16.5%+5.1% nominal
30	Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree	$50,750	$45,830 – $62,120	-16.0%+5.8% nominal
31	First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award	$48,250	$35,410 – $72,900	-15.8%+6.0% nominal
32	GlaziersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,750	$29,680 – $48,830	-15.8%+6.0% nominal
33	Management AnalystsBachelor's degree	$69,390	$43,370 – $131,810	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
34	Special Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree	$51,970	$46,720 – $62,600	-15.4%+6.5% nominal
35	Security and Fire Alarm Systems InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,160	$36,950 – $61,010	-15.3%+6.6% nominal
36	Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine RepairersSome college, no degree	$42,920	$29,390 – $61,590	-15.2%+6.7% nominal
37	Pharmacy AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$28,380	$23,130 – $41,200	-15.2%+6.7% nominal
38	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$85,770	$51,780 – $154,470	-14.9%+7.2% nominal
39	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree	$82,800	$65,400 – $106,450	-14.9%+7.2% nominal
40	Engine and Other Machine AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,610	$33,790 – $72,380	-14.7%+7.4% nominal
41	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$133,230	$97,260 – $158,230	-14.6%+7.5% nominal
42	Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree	$54,580	$36,150 – $81,690	-14.4%+7.8% nominal
43	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$75,060	$61,150 – $106,400	-14.1%+8.2% nominal
44	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree	$50,570	$46,600 – $60,900	-14.1%+8.1% nominal
45	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$50,790	$46,020 – $60,860	-13.4%+9.1% nominal
46	Automotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37,820	$28,650 – $74,000	-13.4%+9.1% nominal
47	LawyersDoctoral or professional degree	$91,690	$47,670 – $176,750	-13.2%+9.2% nominal
48	Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64,360	$26,240 – $85,520	-13.1%+9.5% nominal
49	Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$36,380	$29,120 – $46,710	-13.0%+9.6% nominal
50	Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$58,640	$41,260 – $136,120	-12.9%+9.7% nominal

More for Mississippi

Metro areas in Mississippi

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Mississippi

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Mississippi to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Mississippi

More for Mississippi

Metro areas in Mississippi

By field in Mississippi

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state