Fastest-growing jobs in Mississippi

With the country eager to put the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the American economy continued to boom in 2023. The national unemployment rate remained around 3.6%, while the total number of people employed grew to roughly 152 million, up from 148 million in 2022.

The economy has seen several significant changes in recent years. Many people are leaving expensive coastal states such as California and New York and moving to more affordable places in the Mountain West region and the South, buoyed by companies that have embraced remote work. What’s more, in a reversal of past trends, wages grew the fastest for lower-earning workers.

Stacker analyzed jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the fastest-growing jobs in Mississippi. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2022 and 2023. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.

Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Mississippi.

David Spates // Shutterstock

#50. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +12.5% (320 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,890
— Employment in 2022: 2,570
— Median annual salary in 2023: $45,950

Canva

#48. Butchers and meat cutters

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +12.5% (160 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,440
— Employment in 2022: 1,280
— Median annual salary in 2023: $28,020

GLRL // Shutterstock

#48. Buyers and purchasing agents

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +12.5% (300 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,700
— Employment in 2022: 2,400
— Median annual salary in 2023: $59,550

Canva

#47. Preschool teachers, except special education

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +12.6% (360 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 3,220
— Employment in 2022: 2,860
— Median annual salary in 2023: $26,720

4 PM production // Shutterstock

#46. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +13.1% (750 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 6,480
— Employment in 2022: 5,730
— Median annual salary in 2023: $64,610

Canva

#45. Healthcare social workers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +13.1% (160 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,380
— Employment in 2022: 1,220
— Median annual salary in 2023: $53,130

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#44. Paramedics

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +13.1% (130 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,120
— Employment in 2022: 990
— Median annual salary in 2023: $49,630

BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock

#43. Fast food and counter workers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +13.7% (4,120 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 34,110
— Employment in 2022: 29,990
— Median annual salary in 2023: $21,610

Canva

#42. Stockers and order fillers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.2% (3,500 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 28,170
— Employment in 2022: 24,670
— Median annual salary in 2023: $33,570

New Africa // Shutterstock

#41. Receptionists and information clerks

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.0% (940 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 7,190
— Employment in 2022: 6,250
— Median annual salary in 2023: $29,380

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#40. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.3% (220 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,660
— Employment in 2022: 1,440
— Median annual salary in 2023: $21,900

Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock

#39. Logisticians

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.5% (160 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,190
— Employment in 2022: 1,030
— Median annual salary in 2023: $67,980

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#38. Interviewers, except eligibility and loan

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.6% (280 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,080
— Employment in 2022: 1,800
— Median annual salary in 2023: $29,640

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#37. Cooks, short order

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.7% (330 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,430
— Employment in 2022: 2,100
— Median annual salary in 2023: $25,020

Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock

#36. Veterinary technologists and technicians

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.1% (140 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,010
— Employment in 2022: 870
— Median annual salary in 2023: $35,080

G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock

#35. Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.6% (2,070 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 14,520
— Employment in 2022: 12,450
— Median annual salary in 2023: $33,800

DuxX // Shutterstock

#34. Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.0% (580 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 3,990
— Employment in 2022: 3,410
— Median annual salary in 2023: $34,780

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#33. Instructional coordinators

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.3% (230 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,560
— Employment in 2022: 1,330
— Median annual salary in 2023: $62,430

Canva

#32. Painters, construction and maintenance

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.4% (150 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,010
— Employment in 2022: 860
— Median annual salary in 2023: $38,290

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#31. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.6% (190 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,270
— Employment in 2022: 1,080
— Median annual salary in 2023: $27,360

Shift Drive // Shutterstock

#30. Computer user support specialists

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.7% (470 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 3,130
— Employment in 2022: 2,660
— Median annual salary in 2023: $45,030

Canva

#29. Coaches and scouts

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.9% (250 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,650
— Employment in 2022: 1,400
— Median annual salary in 2023: $42,940

Canva

#28. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +18.0% (230 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,510
— Employment in 2022: 1,280
— Median annual salary in 2023: $37,420

Philip Lange // Shutterstock

#27. Highway maintenance workers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +18.4% (560 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 3,600
— Employment in 2022: 3,040
— Median annual salary in 2023: $32,240

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#26. First-line supervisors of gambling services workers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +18.5% (170 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,090
— Employment in 2022: 920
— Median annual salary in 2023: $53,850

Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock

#25. Software developers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +18.8% (490 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 3,090
— Employment in 2022: 2,600
— Median annual salary in 2023: $85,190

Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock

#24. Amusement and recreation attendants

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.6% (220 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,340
— Employment in 2022: 1,120
— Median annual salary in 2023: $21,780

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#23. Chemical equipment operators and tenders

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.8% (200 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,210
— Employment in 2022: 1,010
— Median annual salary in 2023: $59,580

Kot500 // Shutterstock

#22. Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.8% (490 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,960
— Employment in 2022: 2,470
— Median annual salary in 2023: $47,340

Canva

#21. Computer numerically controlled tool operators

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +20.5% (250 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,470
— Employment in 2022: 1,220
— Median annual salary in 2023: $47,230

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#20. Bus drivers, school

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +20.8% (690 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 4,010
— Employment in 2022: 3,320
— Median annual salary in 2023: $31,200

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Insurance claims and policy processing clerks

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +21.4% (270 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,530
— Employment in 2022: 1,260
— Median annual salary in 2023: $38,080

Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock

#18. Computer network support specialists

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.3% (210 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,150
— Employment in 2022: 940
— Median annual salary in 2023: $54,120

Kzenon // Shutterstock

#17. Training and development specialists

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.9% (440 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,360
— Employment in 2022: 1,920
— Median annual salary in 2023: $51,690

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#16. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.2% (190 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,010
— Employment in 2022: 820
— Median annual salary in 2023: $82,820

Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock

#15. Property, real estate, and community association managers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.9% (430 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,230
— Employment in 2022: 1,800
— Median annual salary in 2023: $46,330

N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock

#14. Computer occupations, all other

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.5% (260 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,320
— Employment in 2022: 1,060
— Median annual salary in 2023: $82,830

Canva

#12. Bakers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +25.0% (220 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,100
— Employment in 2022: 880
— Median annual salary in 2023: $31,090

g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

#12. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +25.0% (350 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,750
— Employment in 2022: 1,400
— Median annual salary in 2023: $65,290

Freedomz // Shutterstock

#11. Health technologists and technicians, all other

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +25.7% (350 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,710
— Employment in 2022: 1,360
— Median annual salary in 2023: $36,510

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Project management specialists

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +26.7% (560 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,660
— Employment in 2022: 2,100
— Median annual salary in 2023: $76,940

Canva

#9. Sales managers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +26.9% (350 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,650
— Employment in 2022: 1,300
— Median annual salary in 2023: $107,750

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#8. Production workers, all other

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.8% (320 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,470
— Employment in 2022: 1,150
— Median annual salary in 2023: $31,950

David Pereiras // Shutterstock

#7. Psychiatric aides

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.2% (610 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 2,630
— Employment in 2022: 2,020
— Median annual salary in 2023: $29,810

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#6. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +37.4% (960 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 3,530
— Employment in 2022: 2,570
— Median annual salary in 2023: $21,170

Canva

#5. Helpers–installation, maintenance, and repair workers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +39.7% (290 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,020
— Employment in 2022: 730
— Median annual salary in 2023: $31,550

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#4. Residential advisors

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +40.3% (310 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,080
— Employment in 2022: 770
— Median annual salary in 2023: $42,750

evgenii mitroshin // Shutterstock

#3. Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishers

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +42.0% (1,310 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 4,430
— Employment in 2022: 3,120
— Median annual salary in 2023: $36,300

Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#2. Phlebotomists

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +45.2% (420 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,350
— Employment in 2022: 930
— Median annual salary in 2023: $32,780

Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock

#1. Eligibility interviewers, government programs

– Increase in employment 2022-2023: +75.3% (730 employees)
— Employment in 2023: 1,700
— Employment in 2022: 970
— Median annual salary in 2023: $34,610

This story features data reporting and writing by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.