Salary & Cost of Living in Meridian, MS
Meridian, MS: $27,235 median salary, cost of living index 78.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$27,235
$13/hr
Cost of Living
78.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
Meridian, MS Overview
Population
36,347
Median Salary
$27,235
Average Salary
$30,503
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$115,000
Median Rent
$500/mo
Job Growth
+0.7%
Sales Tax
7%
Meridian is located in Mississippi with a population of 36,347. The median household salary is $27,235 per year ($13/hour), which is $32,149 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.7%.
Meridian Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Meridian, MS based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $27,235 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $16,886 | $8.12/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $27,235 | $13.09/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $38,674 | $18.59/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $48,478 | $23.30/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Meridian Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Meridian, MS, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$22,560
$1,880.01/month · $867.70/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.2%
Gross Pay
$27,235
Federal Tax
-$1,230
State Tax
-$1,362
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,083
Net Pay
$22,560
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,269.58 | $27,235.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$102.48 | -$1,229.70 |
| Mississippi State Tax (5%) | -$113.48 | -$1,361.75 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$140.71 | -$1,688.57 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$32.91 | -$394.91 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $1,880.01 | $22,560.07 |
Salary Comparison: Meridian vs Other Cities
See how Meridian's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian, MS | $27,235 | 78.5 | $34,694 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Statesboro, GA | $27,232 | 85.5 | $31,850 |
| Parkersburg, WV | $27,228 | 78.2 | $34,818 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,263 | 78.5 | $34,730 |
| Pharr, TX | $28,981 | 76.8 | $37,736 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Meridian
Meridian's cost of living index is 78.5 (national average = 100). Living in Meridian is 21.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$115,000
Median Monthly Rent
$500
Annual Rent Cost
$6,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $22,560 annual take-home pay in Meridian has the purchasing power of approximately $28,739 in an average-cost US area. Your $27,235 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Meridian
Meridian's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $27,235.
Salary Tips for Meridian Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Meridian has a cost of living 21.5% below the national average. A salary of $27,235 here has the purchasing power of about $34,694 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Meridian's top industries include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $27,235 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Meridian salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Meridian-MS metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Meridian indexed at 78.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Meridian's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $27,235 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Mississippi state income tax (5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Meridian: 3.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Mississippi.
- Housing context: median home price $115,000, median rent $500/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Meridian, MS:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Meridian unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Meridian QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Mississippi — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Meridian's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Mississippi labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Meridian, MS?
The median salary in Meridian, MS is $27,235 per year, or $13 per hour. The average salary is $30,503. This is $32,149 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Meridian, MS?
Meridian's cost of living index is 78.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 21.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $115,000 and the median monthly rent is $500.
What are the best industries in Meridian?
The top industries in Meridian, MS include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 0.7% and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $27,235.
How does Meridian's salary compare to other cities?
Meridian's median salary of $27,235 is 54.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 78.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $34,694.
What is the minimum wage in Meridian, MS?
The minimum wage in Meridian, MS is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.