Delicious food, interesting history, and beautiful landscapes, along with being one of the most affordable places to live, make Mississippi a hotspot for people all over the world. But of course, if you want to relocate here, you have to consider job opportunities.
Fortunately, there are many employment openings in this state. In this article, we will make things easier by showing you the highest-paying jobs in Mississippi. Let’s get into it.
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Overview Of The Highest Paying Jobs in Mississippi
Mississippi’s job market is expanding rapidly, with a variety of businesses providing new and rewarding work options. According to the University Research Centre, the state is expected to experience high-paying job growth, particularly in the health-care sector.
All of these professions pay over twice the state median annual income, so Mississippi is a great place to work. There are many fields to choose from. We have the healthcare, engineering, and finance sectors. There are so many opportunities that you can easily find high-paying careers that fit your abilities and interests.
Which Industries in Mississippi Provide the Best Job Opportunities
Mississippi’s economy is rich with opportunities and this attracts new residents. But most of them don’t have a good idea of the best industries in Mississippi to get into.
The state has a diverse range of industries from agriculture to aerospace. Here are the best industries in Mississippi that offers the highest paying potential and job growth:
#1. Manufacturing
Major employers include: Nissan (Mississippi), Ingalls Shipbuilding (Pascagoula), and Yokohama Tire Corporation (West Point).
Mississippi’s manufacturing industry is an important part of the economy, producing everything from cars to shipbuilding components.
Nissan offers hundreds of jobs in Canton, with opportunities in automobiles and even maintenance. Ingalls Shipbuilding at Pascagoula offers naval ship design and welding work.
Factory work tends to offer workers competitive pay, attracting hordes of laborers to Mississippi. Employment in areas with stable bases of manufacture can provide job stability and the possibility of career advancement.
#2. Agriculture
Big Employers: Sanderson Farms (Mississippi branches), Cal-Maine Foods (Ridgeland), Delta Pine & Land (Scott).
Agriculture is a part of Mississippi’s heritage, and chicken, soybeans, and cotton are important in the state’s $105.1 billion economy. Sanderson Farms has processing plants, which employ people in production and logistics.
Cal-Maine Foods in Jackson employs people in egg production and delivery. This job is important to the nation’s food supply and provides residents with meaningful employment. The business thrives in rural communities, which offer a less frantic pace of life.
#3. Healthcare
Major Employers: University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson), Baptist Memorial Hospital (locations in Mississippi), Memorial Hospital (Gulfport).
Healthcare is one of Mississippi’s fastest-growing industries. They provide essential services to its citizens. The University of Mississippi Medical Centre in Jackson hires nurses, doctors, and researchers.
Memorial Hospital in Gulfport offers chances in patient care and administration. Healthcare careers are appealing to those looking for stability and a positive impact on their community.
#4. Energy
Major Employers: Entergy Mississippi (Jackson), Chevron (office in Pascagoula), Atmos Energy (locations in Mississippi).
Mississippi’s energy business comprises oil refining, natural gas production, and renewable energy generation. Entergy Mississippi offers positions in electrical distribution and engineering.
Chevron’s Pascagoula Refinery employs personnel for refining operations and environmental safety. Energy occupations frequently offer high salaries and prospects for promotion. Living near these hubs provides easy access to exciting professional opportunities.
#5. Technology
Major Employers: C Spire (Ridgeland), BeyondTrust Corporation (office in Ridgeland), Raytheon (locations in Mississippi).
Mississippi’s technology industry, which has a GDP of around $3 billion and employs more than 5% of the state’s workforce, is expanding, with Jackson alone providing about 5,000 computer and math occupations and investing in technology hubs.
They are also aiming at telecommunications and software programming. C Spire in Ridgeland hires IT specialists and network engineers. BeyondTrust Corporation provides opportunities in cyber security and software maintenance.
This sector promotes innovation and provides room for growth. Moving here enables you to be part of a vibrant tech community.
Top Ten Highest Paying Jobs in Mississippi
Here are the best highest paying jobs in Mississippi with highest earning potential and job growth:
#1. Physician/ Surgeon
Salary Range: $249,000 to $465,000, with a median annual wage of $234,000
A physician refers to medical practitioners who prescribe medications and lifestyle adjustments to patients suffering from acute and chronic medical disorders. A surgeon, on the other hand, refers to medical experts who undertake surgical procedures, to treat injuries and serious diseases.
Doctors must first have a bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry. After that, they must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to be eligible for medical school.
After graduating from medical school and receiving their medical degree, they must pass the initial parts of the USMLE, select a speciality, and complete the residency program. Finally, in order to receive a medical license in their chosen speciality, they must pass the third portion of the USMLE and earn board certifications.
The highest paying medical specialties in Mississippi include Anaesthologists, Cardiologists and Surgeons. The anesthesiologist is in charge of anesthesia care. This includes pain management and critical care before, during and after surgery and invasive procedures. They have an average yearly salary of $372,401. This makes it one of the highest paying jobs in Mississippi.
A Cardiologist, however, is a physician who’s a specialist in the management of your heart and blood vessels. They can cure or assist you in preventing a variety of cardiovascular issues. They have an average yearly salary of $338,560. Surgeons, who are physicians who perform surgery, have an average yearly salary of around $357,022.
#2. Psychiatrist
Salary Range: $240,000 to $448,000, with an average yearly income of $234,000
Psychiatrists are just like medical doctors, but they diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders. They do this by talk therapy, medication, and other forms of treatment.
They excel at long-term care for patients who have chronic mental health issues like depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and other challenging disorders.
It requires a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a medical degree to become a psychiatrist. They then complete a psychiatric residency and are certified by the ABPN.
One of the highest paying jobs in Mississippi are Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Remote Child Psychiatrist. Child and adolescent psychiatrist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats children, adolescents, and families with mental, emotional, and/or behavioral problems.
They have an average yearly salary of $240,000. On the other hand, Remote child psychiatrists basically do the same thing. However, there is a key difference, they deliver their services virtually usually through online platforms.
#3. Chief Financial Office (CFO)
Salary Range: $338,470 to $579,175, with an estimated annual salary of $247,690
CFOs are in charge of a company’s finances and develop finance plans in agreement with organisational goals. They are accountable for accounting systems and financial reporting and are usually at the head of large company transactions such as mergers and acquisitions.
Banking is a sector that is extremely supportive of remote work, so you can be sure to encounter more homework here than with other sectors. The chief financial officer is a member of the C-suite. This refers to a company’s most important executives. Along with the CFO, these positions include CEO, COO, and CIO.
Their work is not just about compliance and quality control but also company planning and process adjustments. They are also a strategic partner to the CEO. They also have influence over company strategy. CFOs have one of the highest paying jobs in Mississippi.
To become a CFO, you must first gain industrial expertise. The majority of persons who end up in this role hold advanced degrees and qualifications, such as a doctoral degree in finance or economics and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) accreditation. It also helps to have experience in accounting, investment banking, or analysis.
#4. Airline Pilot
Salary Range: $226,000 to $411,000, with an estimated annual salary of $209,000
Airlines pilots or commercial pilots are responsible for making sure the aircraft, cargo, and passengers are safe while flying. Before the plane takes off, they execute routine maintenance checks, conduct pre-flight analysis, and create flight plans and emergency backup plans.
They also serve as the primary means of communication for all of the professionals participating in the trip, including his flight crew, ground crew, and dispatchers. They are also responsible for relaying flight information and circumstances to passengers.
When they are hired, they have to undergo additional training to obtain the instrument rating required to fly the aircraft they will operate. Finally passing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) practical test earns them a commercial pilot license.
The 100 airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers employed at Northeast Mississippi rank it among the areas having the highest employment, job concentration, and location quotients for the profession.
#5. Dentists
Salary Range: $152,000 to $238,000, with an average income of $189,817 per year
Dentists diagnose and treat teeth, gum, and mouth problems. They also help maintain good oral health. They play a key role in the early detection of oral cancer and systemic disease.
Dentists typically discover other medical issues and infections in the mouth prior to their discovery elsewhere. They are also have one of the highest paying jobs in Mississippi.
To become a dentist, you must make major educational investments. Practically all dental schools require a bachelor’s degree for application. Their are still few schools that have accelerated programs following two or three years of undergraduate study.
All 72 of the currently accredited dental schools in the United States are four-year schools. There is one exception which is the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry at San Francisco. They have a three-year program instead.
Dental schools, like medical school applications, do not require a set major. But you must fulfill dental school requirements, including certain courses (mostly in the sciences), a Dental Admissions Test score (DAT), letters of recommendation, a personal statement for dental school, and appropriate extracurricular activities.
A student will have graduated from dental school with a DDS or a DMD degree. The degrees are equivalent in every way, with the same certifying body and course requirements. Next, they must pass the National Board of Dental Examination to get their license and then proceed through a residency program to become specialized.
Furthermore, dentists in Mississippi must hold a Healthcare Level Basic Life Support (CPR/BLS) certification. Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has the highest average yearly wage for dentists in the state, 4.3% higher than the average in Kentucky.
#6. Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetist (CRNA)
Salary Range: $173,284 to $229,604, with an annual median wage of $182,940.
CRNA are nurses that give anaesthesia. What they do is provide anaesthesia for sugeries. They can be independent or as part of a team.
We have both CRNAs, which are nurse anaesthetists, and anaesthesiologists that are doctors. They are both trained to provide anaesthesia.
The only difference between them is that they both come from different schools of training. CRNA’s also have of the highest paying jobs in Mississippi.
An anaesthesiologist holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. But a CRNA is a doctoral-level registered nurse. They must have passed the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anaesthetists (NCEN).
Because Nurse Anaesthetists and Anaesthesiologists go to different schools of training, when a nurse anaesthetist provides anaesthesia, it is considered nursing practice.
But when an anaesthesiologist administers anaesthesia, it is considered the practice of medicine. Physician anaesthesiologists and CRNAs both give anaesthesia in the same manner, regardless of their training background in nursing or medicine.
To be a nurse anaesthetist (CRNA), you must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or an equivalent field.
- Obtain a registered nursing license in the United States or a United States territory.
- Practice as a registered nurse for a year or more in an intensive care unit (ICU). The majority of registered nurses practicing as CRNAs work here for three years or more.
- Attend and complete an accredited nurse anaesthesia program, resulting in a doctoral degree. These programs last three years.
- Following completion of a nurse anaesthesia program, take the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anaesthetists.
#7. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Salary Range: $178,000 to $332,000, with an estimated yearly pay of $129,700
As the most senior management executives, CEOs make major business decisions, including defining the company’s vision. They also oversee the management of the company, set the budget, and allocate resources to achieve all goals.
They are also tasked with reporting and giving updates to the board of directors and managing the other executives and general managers in various departments. Most CEOs have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration and years of experience, particularly in management.
But this is not automatic promotion that you can achieve by just completing all the requirements. Only through having the proper connections and exposure can you achieve this role. That is why all those aspiring to be a CEO need to attend seminars, conferences, and mixers, and become members of professional societies.
#8. Pharmacist
Salary Range: $109,200 and $135,002, with an annual median wage of $115,400
A Pharmacist is a medical practitioner who is trained to store, handle, prepare, and dispense a variety of drugs. They are also responsible for educating patients about how to administer and use their drugs. Similarly, they are a “final check” to verify that the doses are correct and that a patient will not have any harmful or undesirable drug interactions.
The minimum prerequisite for Pharmacist is a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or a pre-pharmacy program. After that, students must get a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, complete a residency program, and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).
After accumulating experience, some of them pursue certifications offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialities (BPS) to obtain their desired speciality.
#9. Radiographers
Salary Range: $90,157-$143,007, with an estimated annual pay of $117,900
Radiographers are primarily responsible for operating X-ray equipment to provide high-quality diagnostic images that aid in the diagnosis of a variety of medical ailments.
They can specialise in various imaging techniques, such as sonography, MRI, mammography, computed tomography, and vascular interventional radiography.
While job descriptions vary greatly, a big element of what a radiographer does is prepare patients for procedures before employing their specialised knowledge and abilities to perform imaging exams and produce diagnostic images.
They explain the imaging process to patients, check for contraindications, assist in positioning patients for the exam, and manipulate imaging equipment to obtain the required image.
A variety of occupations are available to fit any radiographer’s preferences, including positions that need extensive time with patients, image analysis for quality control, and departmental or facility leadership. The pay available to radiographers and similar positions within the radiology field is lucrative.
#10. Computer and Information Research Scientist
Salary Range: $107,000 to $199,000, with an average salary of $107,100 per year
Computer and information research experts are responsible for moving the technology industry to new heights, therefore they are at the forefront of innovation. They propel the industry forward by doing study and examination, as well as developing new technology.
These professionals can pursue a variety of career options based on the area of computer science that interests them the most. These include designing software and hardware, programming robots, investigating equations, developing theories, and so on.
Computer and information research scientists typically begin their employment with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering.
After obtaining work experience, individuals must get a master’s degree in a relevant industry as well as legitimate ICCP certificates. Southwest Mississippi, with an hourly mean compensation of $54.96, is one of the highest-paying nonmetropolitan areas for this position.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average pay in Mississippi is $87,360 per year, or $42 per hour. Entry-level occupations begin at $46,725 per year, while most experienced workers earn up to $167,360 per year.
Mississippi residents’ most prevalent employment sectors are elementary and secondary schools (83,953 people), restaurants and food services (72,656 people), and construction (70,169 people).
Mississippi had the lowest concentration, with millionaires accounting for 4.18 percent of all families.
Madison County is widely recognised as Mississippi’s richest county, with a high average income and a strong economic foundation. The county’s prosperity is fuelled by its affluent communities, great schools, and closeness to Jackson.
Agriculture is Mississippi’s largest industry, employing over 11.4% of the state’s workforce, either directly or indirectly. Mississippi’s agriculture industry is worth $9.04 billion. The state has around 31,290 farms, totalling 10.3 million acres.
Conclusion
Mississippi offers a range of high-paying career opportunities, particularly in industries like healthcare, engineering, and technology. Physicians, surgeons, and specialists dominate the top of the salary scale. This shows the importance of medical professionals.
For job seekers looking to maximize their earning potential in Mississippi, you should invest in education. Many of these highest-paying jobs require advanced degrees, certifications, or extensive training.
You should also stay informed about industry trends and workforce demands. This helps align your expertise with the state’s most lucrative opportunities.
References
- nexford.edu: Highest Paying Jobs in Mississippi.
