Accountant Salary in Mississippi: $73,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $73,314/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $85,547 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Biloxi ($77,281), Gulfport ($76,380), Pearl ($71,035).
In 2026, the average median salary for accountants in Mississippi is projected to be $73,314, which is approximately 14.6% lower than the national median of $85,864. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Biloxi offering the highest average at $79,298 and Hattiesburg the lowest at $67,025. This gap of $12,273 may be driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for accountants in different regions, and local economic conditions. Accountants in Mississippi must adhere to specific state licensing requirements, including passing the CPA exam and meeting educational criteria set forth by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. The demand for accounting services often correlates with the state's diverse economic sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture, which are key drivers for job opportunities. The overall employment outlook for accountants in the state shows a growth rate of 2.61% annually, suggesting steady demand for accounting professionals. Cities such as Gulfport, Pearl, Tupelo, and Madison also show promising average salaries, indicating a healthy job market for aspiring accountants considering relocation within Mississippi.
Mississippi Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $44,717 (lowest entry-level) to $129,278 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi accountants earn 14.62% less than the national median ($-12,550/year difference).
Mississippi Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Mississippi range from $47,550 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,099 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,314. The Mississippi median is $12,550 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $35.25/hr. Approximately 3,910 accountants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,708
2025 BLS Actual
$71,449
2026 Current Est.
$73,314
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,709 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,227 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 21.7% from $58,708 (2019) to $71,449 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,227 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,519 (28.14%) 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 2.61% 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 | $67,025 |
| Clinton | $67,657 |
| Laurel | $68,055 |
| Columbus | $69,195 |
| Hernando | $69,273 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | $79,298 | 85.7 | $92,530 |
| Gulfport | $78,374 | 90.006 | $87,076 |
| Pearl | $72,889 | 85.7 | $85,051 |
| Tupelo | $72,872 | 85.7 | $85,032 |
| Madison | $72,580 | 85.7 | $84,691 |
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) | $47,550 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,314 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $124,099 |
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 | Biloxi | $79,298 |
| 2 | Gulfport | $78,374 |
| 3 | Pearl | $72,889 |
| 4 | Tupelo | $72,872 |
| 5 | Madison | $72,580 |
| 6 | Jackson | $72,566 |
| 7 | Southaven | $72,386 |
| 8 | Horn Lake | $72,089 |
| 9 | Starkville | $71,558 |
| 10 | Ridgeland | $70,651 |
| 11 | Vicksburg | $70,651 |
| 12 | Oxford | $70,205 |
| 13 | Brandon | $70,131 |
| 14 | Meridian | $69,759 |
| 15 | Olive Branch | $69,622 |
| 16 | Hernando | $69,273 |
| 17 | Columbus | $69,195 |
| 18 | Laurel | $68,055 |
| 19 | Clinton | $67,657 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $67,025 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in Mississippi?
How many accountants are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for accountants?
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
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 2.61% 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 accountant compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute 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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov