Mississippi Minimum Wage 2026

Mississippi Minimum Wage After Tax in 2026

A full-time Mississippi worker at $7.25 an hour grosses $15,080 a year. After $0 in federal income tax, $1,154 in FICA and $0 in state income tax, take-home pay is about $13,926 a year, or $1,161 a month and $268 a week.

Mississippi Minimum Wage in 2026: The Floor That Has Never Risen

Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, making the federal $7.25 per hour the only wage floor for most private sector workers. Consistently ranked as the poorest state in the United States -- lowest median household income, highest poverty rate, lowest per capita personal income -- Mississippi's minimum wage situation is inextricable from its broader economic context.

A full-time Mississippi minimum wage worker earns $15,080 annually before taxes. After FICA and Mississippi's 4.00% flat income tax, net annual take-home is approximately $13,926, or $1,102 per month. The state's lower cost of living relative to coastal states means this amount goes further in Mississippi than in many other states, but does not fully close the gap between minimum wage income and basic living costs.

Mississippi's Poverty Context

Mississippi's poverty rate consistently ranks among the highest in the nation, with over 18% of residents living below the federal poverty line as of the most recent census data. The 2026 federal poverty guideline for a single individual is $15,960 a year. A full-time Mississippi minimum wage worker grosses $15,080, which sits $880 below that line before a single dollar of tax comes out. Full-time work at the federal floor does not clear federal poverty in Mississippi, and any cut in hours widens the gap.

The Mississippi Delta region, which stretches along the western border from Memphis to Vicksburg, has some of the highest poverty concentrations in the entire United States. Counties including Quitman, Holmes, Jefferson, and Humphreys have poverty rates exceeding 35%. Minimum wage employment in these communities is among the most significant economic support available.

Gulf Coast Casino and Hospitality Industry

The Mississippi Gulf Coast -- Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian -- is home to a major casino and resort economy centered around Gulf Coast casinos including Beau Rivage, Hard Rock Biloxi, and the Palace Casino. Casino workers including dealers, slot technicians, and food service workers represent a significant segment of the area's minimum and near-minimum wage workforce. The casino industry has brought significant employment to the Gulf Coast, but entry-level positions remain at or near minimum wage.

Jackson's Capital Economy

Jackson, the state capital, is Mississippi's largest city and primary economic center. The state government, healthcare (including University of Mississippi Medical Center), and service industries drive the Jackson economy. Jackson has faced significant challenges including infrastructure problems and population decline that complicate economic growth. Entry-level government support positions and service sector jobs often pay at or near minimum wage.

State Preemption Prevents City Minimums

Mississippi state law preempts local governments from setting minimum wages above the federal level. Cities including Jackson, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, and Meridian cannot enact local minimum wage ordinances for private employers. This means even in communities where local economic conditions or political majorities might favor higher minimum wages, the state prevents action.

Tipped Wage: Federal $2.13 Applies

Mississippi follows the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13 per hour. Given the significance of the Gulf Coast hospitality and casino industry, the tipped wage affects thousands of Mississippi workers. The long-unchanged $2.13 federal tipped rate represents particularly significant wage stagnation for service workers in a state that lacks any state-level wage floor improvement mechanism.

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