{"schema_version": 1, "id": "jackson-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 217, "label": "Jackson, MS MSA", "slug": "jackson-ms-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-09", "public_after": "2026-09-01", "frozen_at": "2026-10-09T13:40:10.812594+00:00", "headline": "Jackson's falling jobless rate hides a shrinking workforce.", "headline_summary": "Jackson MSA unemployment dropped to 3% in September from 3.8% in July, but labor force participation fell to 54.7% from 55.7% a year earlier, suggesting the improvement reflects fewer workers in the market rather than stronger local hiring.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Jackson MSA unemployment rate", "value": "3.0%", "context": "Down from 3.8% in July 2026"}, {"label": "Labor force participation rate", "value": "54.7%", "context": "Down from 55.7% a year ago"}, {"label": "Hinds County employment change", "value": "-1.2% YoY", "context": "Alongside 4.1% wage growth, same period"}, {"label": "Metro vs. national average weekly wage", "value": "$1,123", "context": "vs. $1,654 U.S. average, Q1 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Falling unemployment is masking a shrinking workforce, not new jobs.", "body": "Jackson's jobless rate dropped from 3.8% to 3% in two months, but labor force participation fell to 54.7% from 55.7% a year prior. A declining denominator, not rising demand, appears to be driving the improved headline number."}, {"headline": "Hinds County's wage-employment split is a warning signal, not a win.", "body": "Average weekly wages rose 4.1% year-over-year even as employment fell 1.2% in the county anchoring the metro. That divergence is consistent with a thinning labor pool commanding scarcity pricing rather than a strengthening local economy."}, {"headline": "Metro wages still trail the nation by a wide and persistent margin.", "body": "Jackson's first-quarter 2026 average weekly wage of $1,123 compares to a national average of $1,654 \u2014 a 32% gap. That differential has implications for consumer spending power and the metro's competitiveness in attracting mobile workers."}, {"headline": "State-level manufacturing investment contrasts with metro-level softness.", "body": "Governor Reeves highlighted the Hitachi Energy investment alongside Mississippi's record 1,199,800 statewide jobs, but Jackson MSA employment of 301,300 in July has not shown comparable momentum. Watch whether announced manufacturing investment translates into metro-level job counts or remains concentrated elsewhere in the state."}], "local_conditions": "Jackson MSA unemployment fell to 3% in September, a sharp improvement from 3.8% in July, even as the labor force participation rate slipped to 54.7% from 55.7% a year earlier \u2014 a combination that signals tightening supply rather than broad-based job creation. Hinds County, the metro's employment core, saw payrolls decline 1.2% year-over-year even as average weekly wages rose 4.1%, a pattern consistent with fewer workers commanding higher pay rather than expanding economic activity.", "implications": "Falling unemployment paired with shrinking labor force participation suggests the metro's apparent tightness reflects workforce exit more than genuine economic expansion, a distinction that matters for anyone assessing whether local demand conditions support investment or expansion. Wage gains concentrated in a shrinking labor pool (Hinds County wages up 4.1% while headcount fell 1.2%) point to a market absorbing fewer workers at higher cost rather than broadening its base \u2014 current conditions suggest economic development leaders should weigh labor-force reentry and in-migration strategies alongside any expansion pitch to prospective employers.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Labor force participation has fallen a full point year-over-year; any further decline would suggest structural workforce exit (retirement, caregiving, disability) rather than a temporary dip, with implications for the metro's long-run capacity to support business expansion."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "Mississippi's statewide participation rate of 54.4% sits nearly eight points below the national 62.2% rate. Whether state workforce initiatives tied to the Hitachi Energy announcement produce measurable participation gains locally is a test case for whether investment announcements translate into labor supply growth."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "National wage growth has slowed to 3.0% against 3.4% inflation \u2014 the first sustained real-wage decline in two years. If that national pattern reaches Jackson, it would reverse the local wage gains seen in Hinds County and compress consumer purchasing power metro-wide."}, {"category": "Expected", "body": "BLS will release its next Jackson MSA Area Economic Summary in early November. That update should clarify whether September's unemployment drop reflects a durable participation shift or a one-month statistical artifact."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 21282.0, "metro_p50": 27025.0, "metro_p75": 30533.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33325.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 21243.0, "metro_p50": 23920.0, "metro_p75": 26000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31200.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28926.0, "metro_p50": 34195.0, "metro_p75": 36356.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54347.75, "metro_p50": 80080.0, "metro_p75": 90747.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 78000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 23943.0, "metro_p50": 28367.0, "metro_p75": 36400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 34344.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29284.25, "metro_p50": 38226.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40560.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 55430.0, "metro_p50": 68640.0, "metro_p75": 78000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71404.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28935.0, "metro_p50": 35336.0, "metro_p75": 38480.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31200.0, "metro_p50": 36802.0, "metro_p75": 42640.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 24960.0, "metro_p50": 26946.0, "metro_p75": 28006.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33756.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27356.5, "metro_p50": 32240.0, "metro_p75": 35360.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41106.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30848.0, "metro_p50": 37282.8, "metro_p75": 40901.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 43680.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 52000.0, "metro_p50": 63963.0, "metro_p75": 68611.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 70720.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 76829.0, "metro_p50": 90757.4, "metro_p75": 103239.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 102581.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 137856.0, "metro_p50": 160408.2, "metro_p75": 172245.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 153652.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 97765.5, "metro_p50": 118965.0, "metro_p75": 134528.75, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 139500.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 51447.0, "metro_p50": 64279.0, "metro_p75": 68816.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 72182.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 67872.0, "metro_p50": 87028.0, "metro_p75": 95000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 94782.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 38768.0, "metro_p50": 48005.0, "metro_p75": 51054.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39869.0, "metro_p50": 75516.0, "metro_p75": 83293.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 62354.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 68896.0, "metro_p50": 68896.0, "metro_p75": 68896.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 85216.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 24960.0, "metro_p50": 48169.0, "metro_p75": 54935.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 56731.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60000.0, "metro_p50": 80000.0, "metro_p75": 95373.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 92749.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 65413.0, "metro_p50": 65413.0, "metro_p75": 65413.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 63853.25, "metro_p50": 73383.6, "metro_p75": 87236.75, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 98279.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 64043.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 77862.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 36130.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 70000.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 137908.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 60419.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 57445.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 49118.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 28600.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 62397.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "October 2026", "files": {"html": "jackson-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "pdf": "jackson-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf", "sources_html": "jackson-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-10-09T13:51:50.026023+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/jackson-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/jackson-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf"}