Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Materials Engineers salary really buy you in Mississippi?
Mississippi is 12.7% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Mississippi's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 87.3, meaning prices are 12.7% lower the national average. A Materials Engineers earning $78,700 in Mississippi has the equivalent purchasing power of $90,148 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Mississippi's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $62,000 | $71,019 | +$9,019 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $72,620 | $83,184 | +$10,564 |
| Median (P50) | $78,700 | $90,148 | +$11,448 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $126,050 | $144,387 | +$18,337 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $150,890 | $172,840 | +$21,950 |
A Materials Engineers in Mississippi earns $78,700 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 15% further — like earning $90,148 in an average-cost state. This makes Mississippi one of the best value states for this occupation.
Mississippi's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 87.3 means a basket of goods and services costs about 12.7% less than the national average. For a Materials Engineers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
Adjusting $78,700 for Mississippi's cost of living yields $90,149 — a 14.5% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
Mississippi ranks #42 of 45 — bottom quartile for Materials Engineers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Materials Engineers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Mississippi ranks #42 out of 45 states for Materials Engineers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Materials Engineers take-home pay in Mississippi after taxes →
A Materials Engineers in Mississippi earns a median salary of $78,700 per year. After adjusting for Mississippi's cost of living (RPP=87.3), the real purchasing power is $90,148 — a +14.5% difference.
Mississippi's cost of living is 12.7% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Mississippi is 87.3 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Materials Engineers in Mississippi: $78,700 x (100 / 87.3) = $90,148. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Materials Engineers in Mississippi enjoys 14.5% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.