Registered Nurse Salary in Mississippi: $85,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $85,024/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,211 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($82,808), Tupelo ($82,788), Jackson ($82,630).
The landscape for registered nurse salaries in Mississippi, projected for 2026, shows an average median salary of $85,024, which is 17.2% lower than the national median of $102,730. Within the state, salaries vary significantly by location, with Pearl leading at $87,205 and Hattiesburg at the lower end of the spectrum with $80,320. This $6,885 difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, healthcare demand specific to each city, and local funding for healthcare facilities. Mississippi’s nursing profession is influenced by state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job roles and responsibilities. The demand for registered nurses is on the rise, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.31% reflecting an increasing healthcare need in the state. As of 2026, there are a total of 14,740 registered nurses employed, with the top five paying cities being Pearl ($87,205), Tupelo ($87,184), Jackson ($87,018), Madison ($86,837), and Southaven ($86,605). This trend suggests a strengthening job market for nurses in Mississippi, driven by both population growth and healthcare sector expansion.
Mississippi Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $58,953 (lowest entry-level) to $121,586 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi registered nurses earn 17.24% less than the national median ($-17,706/year difference).
Mississippi Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Mississippi range from $66,208 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $111,363 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,024. The Mississippi median is $17,706 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $40.88/hr. Approximately 14,740 registered nurses are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,905
2025 BLS Actual
$80,737
2026 Current Est.
$85,024
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,905 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,258 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,962 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,593 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,737 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,539 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 28.3% from $62,905 (2019) to $80,737 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,539 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,634 (42.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $80,320 |
| Clinton | $80,947 |
| Laurel | $81,423 |
| Columbus | $82,786 |
| Hernando | $82,879 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $87,205 | 85.7 | $101,756 |
| Tupelo | $87,184 | 85.7 | $101,732 |
| Madison | $86,837 | 85.7 | $101,327 |
| Southaven | $86,605 | 85.7 | $101,056 |
| Horn Lake | $86,249 | 85.7 | $100,641 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $66,208 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,024 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $111,363 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $87,205 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $87,184 |
| 3 | Jackson | $87,018 |
| 4 | Madison | $86,837 |
| 5 | Southaven | $86,605 |
| 6 | Horn Lake | $86,249 |
| 7 | Starkville | $85,613 |
| 8 | Ridgeland | $84,528 |
| 9 | Vicksburg | $84,528 |
| 10 | Biloxi | $84,134 |
| 11 | Oxford | $83,994 |
| 12 | Brandon | $83,906 |
| 13 | Meridian | $83,461 |
| 14 | Olive Branch | $83,297 |
| 15 | Gulfport | $83,153 |
| 16 | Hernando | $82,879 |
| 17 | Columbus | $82,786 |
| 18 | Laurel | $81,423 |
| 19 | Clinton | $80,947 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $80,320 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Mississippi?
How many registered nurses are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for registered nurses?
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov