Mississippi Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Mississippi Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Mississippi
Mississippi trade work is often centered around manufacturing plants, distribution facilities, and regional service needs rather than dense metro construction. Industrial maintenance and mechanical roles near long-term employers can offer more consistent employment.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Mississippi (from this table): Lineworker ($84,364)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $55,781 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $35,673 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Mississippi.
- Most stable demand in Mississippi: maintenance and support roles tied to plants, facilities, and regional employers.
- Best way to increase earnings: embed yourself with long-running operations where consistency beats chasing new builds.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($84,364) · CDL Truck Driver ($70,805) · AV Technician ($65,666)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Mississippi
Demand is shaped most by manufacturing sites, port activity in select regions, and essential service needs, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Mississippi trade pay tends to favor reliability over specialization, with steady employers often offering more predictable earnings than project-based work.
- Outlook: Stable (facility-based work)
- What drives demand: manufacturing sites, port activity in select regions, and essential service needs.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Mississippi
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Mississippi. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $25.38 | $1,015 | $4,401 | $52,795 |
| AV Technician | $31.57 | $1,263 | $5,472 | $65,666 |
| Carpenter | $24.73 | $990 | $4,288 | $51,458 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $34.06 | $1,362 | $5,900 | $70,805 |
| CNC Machinist | $23.39 | $937 | $4,058 | $48,691 |
| Construction | $24.83 | $994 | $4,306 | $51,666 |
| Concrete Finisher | $27.22 | $1,089 | $4,717 | $56,602 |
| Diesel Technician | $28.27 | $1,130 | $4,899 | $58,782 |
| Electrician | $29.95 | $1,198 | $5,191 | $62,296 |
| Heavy Equipment | $24.46 | $949 | $4,109 | $49,312 |
| HVAC Technician | $27.56 | $1,102 | $4,777 | $57,324 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $27.19 | $1,088 | $4,714 | $56,567 |
| Ironworker | $25.91 | $1,035 | $4,485 | $53,819 |
| Lineworker | $40.56 | $1,622 | $7,030 | $84,364 |
| Marine Mechanic | $28.13 | $1,125 | $4,876 | $58,469 |
| Mason | $26.44 | $1,058 | $4,583 | $54,995 |
| Plumber | $31.78 | $1,231 | $5,335 | $64,022 |
| Roofer | $23.84 | $954 | $4,132 | $49,587 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $25.23 | $969 | $4,196 | $50,354 |
| Welder | $24.08 | $962 | $4,171 | $50,046 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Mississippi Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Mississippi’s trade economy is supported by manufacturing, shipbuilding, energy production, utilities, and steady residential and commercial construction. Large industrial employers, port activity along the Gulf Coast, and statewide infrastructure needs create consistent demand for electricians, welders, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, carpenters, and industrial maintenance trades.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Gulf Coast (Pascagoula / Gulfport): Shipbuilding, port operations, industrial maintenance, and construction.
- Jackson metro area: Commercial construction, utilities, healthcare facilities, and public works.
- North Mississippi: Manufacturing plants, logistics facilities, and industrial maintenance roles.
- Statewide rural areas: Ongoing need for service trades, electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC.
Major Employers and Contractors in Mississippi
Tradespeople in Mississippi frequently work with employers tied to manufacturing, shipbuilding, and utilities, including:
- Ingalls Shipbuilding — Major shipyard in Pascagoula employing welders, pipefitters, electricians, and metal trades.
- Nissan North America (Canton Plant) — Automotive manufacturing supporting industrial maintenance and skilled trades.
- Entergy Mississippi — Electrical utility infrastructure and maintenance work.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Mississippi
Mississippi is primarily a non-union trade state, especially in residential construction, service trades, and smaller commercial projects. Union opportunities exist but are more concentrated in shipbuilding, industrial facilities, and large-scale projects.
Union Apprenticeships in Mississippi
Union apprenticeship opportunities are limited compared to other states but are most commonly found in industrial and shipyard-related work.
- IBEW Local 606 — Electrical workers supporting industrial and utility projects in parts of Mississippi.
- UA Local 568 — Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC training connected to industrial projects.
- SMART Local 568 — Sheet metal workers involved in industrial and shipyard-related fabrication.
Ready to start a trade career in Mississippi?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Mississippi.
Mississippi Trade Schools & Apprenticeships