The total number of employees on nonfarm payrolls in the state increased to 1,171,700 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an increase of about 1,200 jobs over the past month. These numbers are particularly impressive after the rough start to 2019, with job losses in each of the first three months.
But that has changed.
Over the past year, the state has added 19,000 jobs. That translates to a 1.7 percent growth during that time period, which is higher than the national average.
| Sector | July 2018 | July 2019 | Change |
| Construction | 43,700 | 44,400 | +700 |
| Manufacturing | 144,800 | 146,800 | +2,000 |
| Trade, transportation, utilities | 231,100 | 233,700 | +2,600 |
| Financial activities | 44,500 | 45,100 | +600 |
| Professional and business services | 109,500 | 112,100 | +2,600 |
| Education and health services | 144,800 | 148,000 | +3,200 |
| Leisure and hospitality | 134,400 | 141,200 | +6,800 |
| Government | 240,900 | 241,300 | +400 |
Among neighboring states, Alabama has had the highest growth rate, at 2 percent. Tennessee was also ahead of Mississippi at 1.8 percent. Arkansas’s growth rate was 1 percent, while Louisiana’s decreased by 0.05 percent. The Pelican State was the only state in the country to post a loss over the past year.
But compared to national numbers, Mississippi was ahead of the average, which came in at 1.4 percent. Overall, Mississippi’s growth rate placed the state 17th nationally.
| State | Job growth |
| Florida | 2.6 |
| Texas | 2.6 |
| Alabama | 2 |
| Tennessee | 1.8 |
| Mississippi | 1.7 |
| Georgia | 1.6 |
| South Carolina | 1.6 |
| Kentucky | 1.5 |
| Missouri | 1.2 |
| Arkansas | 1 |
| Louisiana | -0.05 |