Accountant in Hattiesburg, MS

The Salary Picture: Where Hattiesburg Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Hattiesburg isn't a finance hub like Jackson or Gulfport, but for accountants, it offers a solid foundation with a lower cost of living that makes your paycheck stretch further. The median salary for accountants here is $83,316/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $40.06/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $86,080/year, but that gap closes dramatically when you factor in Hattiesburg's affordability.

The job market is small but stable, with 97 accountant positions in the metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 4%, which is modest but indicates steady demand rather than explosive growth. This isn't a city where you'll see rapid career jumps every two years, but it's a place where you can build a stable, long-term career without the high-pressure environment of larger metros.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect based on experience level. These figures are based on local job postings, BLS data for the South, and conversations with accountants at local firms.

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Hattiesburg, MS)	Key Local Employers at This Level
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$55,000 - $65,000	Local tax prep firms, small business bookkeeping, non-profits
Mid-Career (3-7 yrs)	$70,000 - $85,000	Regional banks, local CPA firms, healthcare billing departments
Senior/Manager (8-12 yrs)	$85,000 - $100,000+	Senior roles at Hattiesburg's larger employers, supervisory positions
Expert/Partner (12+ yrs)	$100,000 - $130,000+	Partner-track at local CPA firms, Controller/VP roles

Table 1: Experience-Level Salary Breakdown in Hattiesburg

When compared to other Mississippi cities, Hattiesburg falls into a middle tier. Jackson, as the state capital and largest metro, has higher salaries (median ~$88,000) but also a higher cost of living. Gulfport-Biloxi has a similar median salary to Hattiesburg, driven by the casino and maritime industries. Oxford (home to Ole Miss) has a more volatile market tied to the academic calendar and tourism.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the median. If you have a specialty like forensic accounting or non-profit auditing, you can command a premium. I know an accountant with 10 years of experience who focuses on healthcare billing and makes $95,000—well above the median—because they understand the intricacies of hospital revenue cycles.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. An accountant earning the median $83,316/year can live comfortably in Hattiesburg, but you need to budget wisely. Here’s a realistic monthly breakdown for a single filer (assuming standard deductions and no dependents).

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an Accountant Earning $83,316:

• Gross Monthly Income: $6,943

• Estimated Taxes (Fed + State + FICA ~25%): ~$1,736

• Net Take-Home Pay: ~$5,207

• Average 1BR Rent (Citywide): $906/month

• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): $150/month

• Groceries: $300/month

• Car Payment + Insurance (Hattiesburg is car-dependent): $450/month

• Health Insurance (Employer-Sponsored): $250/month

• Retirement (401k, 5% of gross): $347/month

• Discretionary Spending: $2,804/month

After your core expenses, you have a healthy $2,800/month for discretionary spending, savings, or paying down debt. This is a key advantage of Hattiesburg.

Can you afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in the Hattiesburg area is roughly $185,000. With a 20% down payment ($37,000), a 30-year fixed mortgage at ~6.5% would have a monthly payment (PITI) of around $1,100-$1,200. This is very manageable on a $83,316 salary, especially if you budget your down payment over a few years of saving. Many local accountants I know bought homes within 3-5 years of moving here.

Where the Jobs Are: Hattiesburg's Major Employers

The accounting job market in Hattiesburg is anchored by a few key sectors: healthcare, education, banking, and local government. You won’t see Wall Street-level salaries, but the work-life balance is often better.

1. Forrest General Hospital / Hattiesburg Health: The largest employer in the region. They have a dedicated finance department with openings for staff accountants, billing specialists, and financial analysts. Hiring is steady, especially for those with healthcare revenue cycle experience.

2. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM): A major public university with a large budget. They hire accountants for grants management, departmental accounting, and central finance. State benefits are excellent, and the academic calendar can mean a slower pace in summer.

3. BancorpSouth (now Cadence Bank): A regional banking giant headquartered in Tupelo but with a significant presence in Hattiesburg. They have internal audit, loan accounting, and branch finance roles. These jobs offer clear career ladders and professional development.

4. The City of Hattiesburg & Forrest County: Local government always needs accountants for budgeting, payroll, and financial reporting. These are stable, pension-eligible positions. Hiring cycles are tied to the city/county budget (typically July 1).

5. Southern Bone & Joint: A large, multi-specialty orthopedic practice. Their back-office operations require accountants who can manage complex medical billing and accounts receivable. It’s a niche but steady employer.

6. Local CPA Firms: Firms like KPMG (a small but important office here), McRoth & Associates, and H. C. Bailey & Company handle a mix of local businesses, non-profits, and individual tax work. These are the best spots for those pursuing CPA licensure.

Hiring Trends: The demand is strongest for accountants who can handle both accounting and some IT systems (like Excel macros or ERP software). The growth in healthcare and education is fueling most new openings. The 4% job growth over 10 years is slow but reliable; retirements are the main driver of openings now.

Getting Licensed in MS

If you’re aiming for a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license, Mississippi’s requirements are straightforward but require planning. The state is not a “150-hour rule” state for initial licensure, but it’s highly recommended for career advancement.

State-Specific Requirements:

1. Education: A bachelor’s degree (120 semester hours) with 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 in business courses.
2. Exam: Pass all four parts of the Uniform CPA Examination (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG).
3. Experience: 1 year of work experience under a licensed CPA (2 years if you don’t have a master’s degree).
4. Ethics: Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Exam Fees: ~$1,500 total (varies by state).
• Review Course (Becker, Wiley, etc.): $1,500 - $3,000.
• State Application Fee: ~$150.
• Total Estimated Cost: $3,150 - $4,650.

Timeline: If you start with the 120-hour bachelor’s degree, you can sit for the exam immediately. However, to earn the full license, you’ll need to complete 30 additional hours (often via a master’s program or extra courses). Most candidates take 12-18 months to pass all exam sections while working. In Hattiesburg, many candidates complete their experience at local CPA firms or in the finance departments of major employers like USM or the hospital.

Insider Tip: The Mississippi Board of Accountancy is very responsive. If you’re considering moving, contact them early about transferring your exam scores from another state.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Hattiesburg’s neighborhoods are defined by their proximity to major employers and lifestyle. As a commuter-city, your choice will heavily depend on where you work.

Neighborhood	Commute to Major Employers	Vibe & Lifestyle	Estimated 1BR Rent
Midtown	5-10 min to USM, City/County, downtown	Walkable, historic, mix of students and young professionals	$850 - $1,100
West Hattiesburg	10-15 min to Forrest General, 20 min to USM	Suburban, family-oriented, near new retail/development	$900 - $1,200
Oak Grove	15-20 min to all major employers	Established, quiet, good schools, more single-family homes	$950 - $1,300
The Avenues	10-15 min to downtown, close to USM	Historic, charming, older homes, strong community feel	$800 - $1,000
Downtown Hattiesburg	5-10 min to City/County, walk to some offices	Revitalizing, apartments/lofts, restaurants, arts scene	$1,000 - $1,400 (for newer apts)

Table 2: Neighborhood Comparison for Accountants

My Take: If you’re single and want a social life, Midtown or Downtown are your best bets. If you have a family or prioritize space, West Hattiesburg or Oak Grove are ideal. For a quiet, established neighborhood with character, The Avenues is a hidden gem.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In a smaller market like Hattiesburg, career growth is less about jumping companies and more about specialization and taking on leadership roles.

Specialty Premiums:

• Forensic Accounting: Limited local demand, but can be hired by law firms or as a consultant. Premium: +10-15%.
• Non-Profit Accounting: High demand due to the region’s many non-profits. Premium: +5-10%.
• Healthcare Revenue Cycle: The single biggest premium in Hattiesburg. Can add $10,000-$15,000 to your salary.
• Government Accounting: Stable, good benefits, but salary is at the median.

Advancement Paths:

1. Public Accounting: Associate → Senior → Manager → Partner. The path is long but offers the highest earning potential ($100K+ as a partner).
2. Private Industry: Staff Accountant → Senior Accountant → Accounting Manager → Controller/VP of Finance. This is the most common path. The Controller role at a mid-sized local company can pay $110,000+.
3. Government: You’ll move up by years of service and promotions. It’s a slow, steady climb with excellent pension benefits.

10-Year Outlook (4% Growth): The growth is slow but steady. Retirements will create openings. The key to advancement will be mastering digital tools (automation, data analytics) and developing soft skills for management. Hattiesburg will always need accountants who understand the local economy—healthcare, education, and small business.

The Verdict: Is Hattiesburg Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $83,316 salary goes much further.	Limited Job Market: Only 97 jobs total. Less variety.
Stable, Predictable Jobs: Healthcare, education, government are recession-resistant.	Slower Career Pace: Promotions and salary jumps are incremental.
Great Work-Life Balance: 40-hour weeks are the norm, not the exception.	Car-Dependent: Limited public transit; you’ll need a car.
Friendly, Community-Oriented Vibe: Easy to build a network and feel at home.	Limited Nightlife/Arts: Compared to Jackson or New Orleans, it’s quieter.
Excellent Access to Outdoors: Pine Belt trails, lakes, and Gulf Coast beaches are close.	Wage Growth Stagnation: Salaries may not keep pace with national inflation long-term.

Final Recommendation: Hattiesburg is an ideal choice for accountants who prioritize stability, affordability, and quality of life over rapid career advancement and high salaries. It’s perfect for early-career professionals looking to buy a home quickly, mid-career accountants seeking a better balance, or those approaching retirement looking for a calm, low-stress environment.

If you’re ambitious and want to break into high-finance or tech, look elsewhere. But if you want a solid career where your paycheck covers your life with room to spare, Hattiesburg is a fantastic, underrated option.

FAQs

Q: Is the CPA license required to get a good job in Hattiesburg?
A: No, it’s not required for many staff accountant roles, especially in private industry or government. However, it is absolutely necessary if you want to work in public accounting or rise to a Controller/VP level. In my experience, the CPA credential is a major differentiator for senior roles.

Q: How is the job market for non-CPAs?
A: It’s decent, especially in bookkeeping, AP/AR clerk roles, and internal accounting at larger companies like the hospital or university. However, your ceiling will be lower. Many non-CPAs are highly valued for their niche skills (like payroll or inventory management).

Q: What’s the commute like?
A: Very manageable. The longest typical commute from the suburbs (West Hattiesburg, Oak Grove) to the major employers is 15-20 minutes. Traffic is minimal compared to big cities. The main challenge is the summer heat and the occasional hurricane season disruption.

Q: Are there opportunities for remote work?
A: Surprisingly, yes. Since the pandemic, some local firms and even the hospital have adopted hybrid models. However, the majority of jobs are on-site because of the nature of the work (handling physical checks, working with sensitive data in secure offices). Don’t bank on a fully remote job here.

Q: How do I network in Hattiesburg?
A: It’s a small town, so networking is organic. Join the Mississippi Society of CPAs (local chapter meets in Hattiesburg), attend USM business school events, and get involved with local chambers of commerce. The best network is often your coworkers; accountants here tend to stay in touch across companies.