Lawyer Salary in Gulfport, MS: $91,309 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Gulfport, MS earns a median $91,309/year (≈ $43.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $101,448 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 36.3% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Lawyers in Gulfport, Mississippi, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $91,309 in 2026, which illustrates a significant pay gap relative to their counterparts in major metropolitan areas. The salary range for this occupation spans from $39,660 at the 10th percentile to $194,711 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse spectrum of opportunities available. This data, rooted in 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, suggests that while local firms compete for talent, the compensation remains lower than the national median salary of $167,174. Gulfport's legal landscape is influenced by the structural divide within the profession, with BigLaw firms offering salaries that can rival Cravath-scale benchmarks but typically accompanied by grueling workloads. In contrast, mid-market and small firms within the region offer more palatable working conditions but lower pay, guiding legal professionals in their career paths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,197 | $29.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,309 | $43.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,361 | $65.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,711 | $93.61 |
Median Salary Position
45.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $155,051 (2026 est.). At $91,309, the local median is 45.38% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gulfport Lawyer Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $91,309/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $143,342 | -36.30% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -45.38% less |
Lawyers in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $91,309 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.38% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 36.30% below the Mississippi state average of $143,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $91,309 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,448 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,159
2025 BLS Actual
$87,210
2026 Current Est.
$91,309
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,328 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,309 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,600 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $67,159 (2019) to $87,210 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,600 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,441 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,660 – $61,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,197 – $91,309 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,309 – $136,361 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,361 – $194,711 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Gulfport
With approximately 380 lawyers currently practicing in Gulfport, the job market presents a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. The cost-of-living index is considerably lower than the national average, sitting at 90.006, which positively affects take-home purchasing power for legal professionals. Many of the highest salaries in Gulfport come from mid-size and regional firms, as well as in-house legal departments, while public sector positions generally offer lower compensation. Variations in pay can be attributed to firm tier—BigLaw generally offers the highest compensation, while public interest and small firm roles tend to pay less. Other factors include partnership equity, billable hour expectations, and the bonus structure. To maximize earnings in Gulfport, aspiring legal professionals should seek opportunities in larger firms or corporate sectors, and consider enhancing specialized skills that are in demand, thus positioning themselves to negotiate higher pay over time.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $87,210 for lawyersin the Gulfport metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov