{"schema_version": 1, "id": "pascagoula-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 322, "label": "Pascagoula, MS MSA", "slug": "pascagoula-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": "2026-10-09T13:42:39.221338+00:00", "headline": "Shipbuilding anchors Pascagoula as statewide labor pool shrinks.", "headline_summary": "Jackson County unemployment near 3.5% looks strong against the 4.1% national rate, but Mississippi's roughly 54% labor force participation \u2014 eight points below the 61.8% U.S. average \u2014 means the metro's tight numbers reflect a shrinking workforce as much as added momentum.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Jackson County unemployment", "value": "3.5%", "context": "vs 4.1% national, July 2026"}, {"label": "MS labor force participation", "value": "~54-55%", "context": "vs 61.8% national rate"}, {"label": "Manufacturing share of county GDP", "value": "52.4%", "context": "vs 14.8% statewide"}, {"label": "Mississippi nonfarm employment", "value": "1,199,800 jobs", "context": "Record high, August 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Low jobless rate masks a shrinking labor pool.", "body": "Jackson County's sub-4% unemployment looks strong against the 4.1% national rate, but Mississippi's labor force participation near 54-55% \u2014 roughly eight points below the national average \u2014 means fewer working-age residents are available to absorb new business activity without wage competition."}, {"headline": "Manufacturing concentration cuts both ways for stability.", "body": "Manufacturing drives 52.4% of county GDP, more than triple the state share, giving the metro outsized exposure to shipbuilding contract cycles and energy-sector capital spending. A single major contract shift at Ingalls or Chevron would ripple through the local economy more than it would in a diversified metro."}, {"headline": "Wage gains in skilled trades outpace the broader basket.", "body": "Electricians (up significantly to $69,629) and HVAC technicians (up moderately to $59,378) are seeing advertised pay climb faster than retail, warehouse, and construction labor roles, consistent with sustained demand tied to the metro's industrial and shipbuilding infrastructure base."}, {"headline": "Soft retail and logistics pay may signal consumer caution.", "body": "Retail sales associate, delivery driver, and construction laborer advertised pay all moved down this month, a pattern that may suggest softer discretionary spending locally even as skilled industrial trades tighten \u2014 a divergence worth tracking for overall consumer demand signals."}], "local_conditions": "Jackson County's unemployment rate held near 3.5% in July, well below the 4.1% national rate, as shipbuilding and energy-related manufacturing \u2014 Ingalls Shipbuilding and Chevron chief among them \u2014 continue to anchor a local economy where manufacturing accounts for 52.4% of GDP versus 14.8% statewide. Mississippi's labor force participation rate of roughly 54-55%, far below the 61.8% national figure, suggests the metro's tight jobless numbers reflect a shrinking labor pool as much as genuine economic acceleration.", "implications": "Low unemployment paired with a thin labor force means local business expansion plans should account for a tighter available labor pool than the headline jobless rate implies, particularly for shipbuilding-adjacent and skilled trades work that underpins the metro's manufacturing base. Commerce leaders evaluating site selection or expansion incentives should weigh labor force participation trends as heavily as unemployment data, since the latter alone overstates local labor market slack. Consider reviewing regional workforce participation programs and in-migration data before assuming current conditions can absorb a significant new employer without wage pressure.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Mississippi's September unemployment rate of 3.7% reversed part of August's drop to 3.4%, the lowest since September 2024. Watch whether October data confirm a genuine cooling or a one-month statistical blip tied to the record 1,199,800 statewide nonfarm employment figure."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "National WARN filings this year have run below 2025 levels, but manufacturing remains the single largest category of Mississippi notices (8 of 12 filings, 596 workers). Any contract disruption affecting Gulf Coast shipbuilding or energy capital projects would be the metro-specific signal to track first."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "National wage growth has slowed to 3.0% annually against 3.4% inflation, eroding real purchasing power for the first time in two years. Local wage-vs-CPI tracking over the next two months will clarify whether Pascagoula's skilled-trade wage gains are enough to offset this broader erosion for area consumers."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Governor Reeves' Hitachi Energy investment announcement signals continued state-level interest in energy and manufacturing capacity. Commerce leaders should watch for any site-selection or supplier-network spillover into the Jackson County industrial base over the next quarter."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 19870.0, "metro_p50": 24472.0, "metro_p75": 26520.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33325.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 22536.0, "metro_p50": 24556.0, "metro_p75": 25399.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31200.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 27931.0, "metro_p50": 31485.0, "metro_p75": 39826.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 38000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 49091.75, "metro_p50": 70000.0, "metro_p75": 76638.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 25834.0, "metro_p50": 30011.0, "metro_p75": 30713.0, "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": 24271.75, "metro_p50": 25139.4, "metro_p75": 29120.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 40560.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 57200.0, "metro_p50": 69629.0, "metro_p75": 81384.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71404.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 29893.0, "metro_p50": 32335.0, "metro_p75": 34624.75, "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": 33126.5, "metro_p50": 36385.0, "metro_p75": 38186.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 24836.5, "metro_p50": 26282.0, "metro_p75": 26516.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33756.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 25332.0, "metro_p50": 29200.0, "metro_p75": 31616.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 41106.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28883.0, "metro_p50": 35815.0, "metro_p75": 36934.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 43680.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 55717.0, "metro_p50": 59378.0, "metro_p75": 61753.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 70720.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 64521.0, "metro_p50": 76946.6, "metro_p75": 82515.25, "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": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 107278.0, "metro_p50": 152955.0, "metro_p75": 164803.0, "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": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 85044.0, "metro_p50": 118965.0, "metro_p75": 134766.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 139500.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 52120.0, "metro_p50": 62945.2, "metro_p75": 65331.0, "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": 61700.0, "metro_p50": 69989.8, "metro_p75": 73654.0, "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": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 41122.75, "metro_p50": 55000.0, "metro_p75": 67500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 40901.0, "metro_p50": 56684.0, "metro_p75": 75516.0, "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": 23935.5, "metro_p50": 49066.0, "metro_p75": 60384.75, "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": 65000.0, "metro_p50": 80000.0, "metro_p75": 90000.0, "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": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 65022.0, "metro_p50": 77804.0, "metro_p75": 87102.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 98279.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 70360.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 72397.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 31685.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 56246.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 80150.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 42031.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 37567.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 58260.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 30118.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 65353.0, "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": "pascagoula-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "pdf": "pascagoula-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf", "sources_html": "pascagoula-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-10-09T14:34:41.261301+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/pascagoula-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/pascagoula-ms-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf"}