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Electrician in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Mississippi employs 6,610 electricians, with a statewide median of $60,860 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Electricians Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $60,860 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,200
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,740
Top earners (90th percentile): $76,540
Employed in Mississippi: 6,610
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,350 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Mississippi markets:

Gulfport: $62,440 (2,010 employed)
Memphis: $60,890 (2,770 employed)
Jackson: $52,310 (1,210 employed)
Hattiesburg: $48,580 (240 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,860 median stretches to roughly $69,954 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow electricians employment +14.3%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 650 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

Local journeyman/master license; state Electrical Contractor license — regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions (journeyman).

Complete a state-approved apprenticeship (about 8,000 hours plus ~1,000 hours of classroom).
Obtain a journeyman/master license through your local jurisdiction (most electrician licensing is local in Mississippi).
For larger projects, the business needs an electrical contractor license through the State Board of Contractors.

Official requirements: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions (journeyman) →

Training in Mississippi

Mississippi handles journeyman/master licensing locally while contractor licensing is statewide. IBEW/IEC/ABC apprenticeships are the earn-while-you-learn route.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

Coahoma Community College — Certificate
Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Associate
Delta Technical College-Mississippi — Certificate
East Central Community College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.

Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.

Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

First Steps

Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Mississippi?

The median wage for electricians in Mississippi is $60,860 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,200, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $76,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Mississippi?

Local journeyman/master license; state Electrical Contractor license, overseen by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions (journeyman). Complete a state-approved apprenticeship (about 8,000 hours plus ~1,000 hours of classroom).

Is being an Electrician a good career in Mississippi?

Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

Which Mississippi metros pay electricians the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Gulfport leads at $62,440, followed by Memphis ($60,890), Jackson ($52,310). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Electrician in Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Delta Technical College-Mississippi. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Electrician a growing career in Mississippi?

Mississippi projects electricians employment to change +14.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 650 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions (journeyman) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Mississippi wages · Mississippi licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.