Salaries in Greenville, MS
What every job actually pays โ cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data
Hereโs the thing about Greenville, Mississippi: you can write software for a company in another state and live like a king. The cityโs median household income is a low $36,297, but its cost of living is a shockingly low 84% of the national average. That gap is where the opportunity is.
Letโs talk real purchasing power. A one-bedroom apartment runs you just $714 a month. The median salary here is $54,270, but when you adjust for that low cost of living, your effective buying power jumps to a solid $64,608. Itโs not a fortune, but your dollars stretch in a way they just canโt in most of the country. For a single person or a couple, itโs a genuine financial runway.
Whoโs actually thriving here? Itโs a split screen. The old-school economy is still the backboneโthink agriculture, river logistics, and healthcare. Greenville is a major port on the Mississippi River, and the Delta Regional Authority keeps that sector humming. But the real money is flowing to remote-friendly roles. Software developers, pulling down a COL-adjusted $144,227, are the new aristocracy. Accountants and registered nurses, both earning in the high $90s after adjustment, do very well too.
Hereโs the honest catch: the average salary is still only $54,270. The tech boom isnโt lifting all boats; itโs creating a niche for the mobile and educated. If you donโt have a remote job or a skill in that top tier, youโll be comfortable but not building wealth quickly. Itโs a place that works beautifully for the right professional, but itโs not a shortcut for everyone.
The numbers below tell the rest of the storyโwho gets paid, and what your life actually costs.
๐ Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Greenville
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Software Developer
Accountant
Registered Nurse
Elementary School Teacher
Electrician
๐ Complete Salary Guide โ All 27 Occupations in Greenville
COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (84/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.
| # | Occupation โ | Raw Salary โ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Developer | $121,151 |
| 2 | Accountant | $81,948 |
| 3 | Registered Nurse | $81,938 |
| 4 | Elementary School Teacher | $60,613 |
| 5 | Electrician | $58,595 |
| 6 | Real Estate Agent | $58,528 |
| 7 | Heavy Truck Driver | $50,541 |
| 8 | Paralegal | $47,600 |
| 9 | Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $47,600 |
| 10 | Welder | $47,600 |
| 11 | Web Developer | $47,600 |
| 12 | Police Officer | $47,600 |
| 13 | Project Manager | $47,600 |
| 14 | Data Analyst | $47,600 |
| 15 | Graphic Designer | $47,600 |
| 16 | Plumber | $47,600 |
| 17 | Firefighter | $47,600 |
| 18 | Carpenter | $47,600 |
| 19 | Human Resources Specialist | $47,600 |
| 20 | Financial Analyst | $47,600 |
| 21 | Pharmacist | $47,600 |
| 22 | HVAC Technician | $47,600 |
| 23 | Physical Therapist | $47,600 |
| 24 | Dental Hygienist | $47,600 |
| 25 | Construction Manager | $47,600 |
| 26 | Marketing Manager | $47,600 |
| 27 | Medical Assistant | $47,600 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
๐๏ธ Living Costs in Greenville
๐งฎ Can You Afford to Live in Greenville?
Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Greenville. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.
โ Greenville Salary FAQ
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๐ Editor's Verdict: Is Greenville Worth It?
Hereโs my honest take: Greenville isnโt where you chase the highest paycheckโitโs where your money stretches. With a cost-of-living index of 84 and rent at $714, that $54,270 average feels more like $65,000 elsewhere. But the real story is the software developer: $121,151 raw, $144,227 adjusted. Thatโs a steal.
If youโre in tech, you win. Healthcare and trades get by, but the ceiling is lower. For everyone else, itโs a budget-friendly base, not a launchpad.
My advice? If youโre remote or in software, moveโand lock in that rent. If youโre not, treat Greenville as a stepping stone, not a forever home.