The average registered nurse salary in Mississippi is $78,950 per year. The median sits at $77,090, which is the more useful figure for most hiring decisions because it is less influenced by a small number of very high earners at the top of the market. Use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling.
Registered nurse salary in Mississippi (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Mississippi is $78,950 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $77,090 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Mississippi employs 29,060 registered nurses, and the $1,860 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Mississippi typically earn around $60,610, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $100,350 level. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Mississippi, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $77,090 |
Average Annual Salary | $78,950 |
vs. National Average | 22.2% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 29,060 employed registered nurses across Mississippi.
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Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $60,610 |
25th Percentile | $64,930 |
75th Percentile | $84,500 |
90th Percentile | $100,350 |
Employers hiring a mid-career registered nurse in Mississippi should expect to anchor offers between $64,930 and $84,500, depending on experience and specialty. Roles requiring advanced clinical skills or leadership responsibilities will push compensation toward the $100,350 threshold that senior specialists typically reach or exceed.
Registered nurse salary by city in Mississippi
City | Average Annual Salary |
Meridian | $87,370 |
Gulfport | $84,430 |
Jackson | $83,390 |
Hattiesburg | $74,300 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a registered nurse in Mississippi, so budget accordingly when hiring in different markets. Meridian sits at the top at $87,370, while Hattiesburg comes in at $74,300, a spread of over $13,000 that can shift your compensation budget noticeably depending on where the role is based.
How Mississippi compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Mississippi | $78,950 | $77,090 |
Georgia | $95,080 | $93,550 |
Tennessee | $85,390 | $81,500 |
Louisiana | $84,190 | $80,230 |
Arkansas | $81,520 | $78,940 |
Alabama | $77,020 | $77,080 |
Mississippi is a cost-effective market for registered nurse hiring relative to most of its regional peers, which gives employers here a real budget advantage when competing for talent. The statewide mean of $78,950 sits below Georgia ($95,080), Tennessee ($85,390), Louisiana ($84,190), and Arkansas ($81,520), though it runs close to Alabama at $77,020. Employers in Mississippi can generally set competitive offers without matching the higher compensation floors seen in neighboring states like Georgia or Tennessee.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Mississippi
What is the average registered nurse salary in Mississippi?
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Mississippi?
Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Mississippi earn $100,350 per year. Roles at this level typically involve advanced clinical specialization, leadership responsibilities, or both. Budget for this range when recruiting experienced candidates who bring specialized credentials or supervisory experience to the position.
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in Mississippi?
Registered nurse salaries in Mississippi range from $60,610 at the 10th percentile to $100,350 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market runs from $64,930 at the 25th percentile to $84,500 at the 75th percentile. When setting your offer, use the role's seniority level and clinical specialty to determine where within that range to anchor your compensation package.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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