Marketing Manager Career Guide: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

If you’re considering a move to Hattiesburg, you’re looking at a market that’s a bit off the beaten path but offers a compelling quality of life. As a local, I can tell you this isn't a sprawling metro like Dallas or Atlanta. It’s a compact, river-adjacent city where your professional network will be tight and your commute will be short. For a Marketing Manager, this means you need to be strategic about where you land and how you position yourself. Let’s break down the real numbers and the local scene.

The Salary Picture: Where Hattiesburg Stands

First, let's talk numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the financial picture for a Marketing Manager in this metro is specific. The median salary is $152,560/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $73.35/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $157,620/year, but the cost of living in Hattiesburg makes it a solid value proposition.

Here’s how salary typically breaks down by experience level in the Hattiesburg market. Note that these are estimates based on local job postings and salary surveys.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Annual Salary (Hattiesburg)
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$85,000 - $110,000
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$120,000 - $145,000
Senior Manager	8-15 years	$150,000 - $175,000
Director/Expert	15+ years	$175,000+

When comparing to other Mississippi cities, Hattiesburg is a unique case. It’s not the state capital (Jackson) or the coastal hub (Gulfport/Biloxi), but it holds its own due to its healthcare and education sectors.

City	Median Salary (Marketing Manager)	Cost of Living Index	Key Industry Drivers
Hattiesburg	$152,560	89.3	Healthcare, Education, Military
Jackson Metro	$148,200	87.1	Government, Insurance, Manufacturing
Gulfport-Biloxi	$145,800	90.5	Tourism, Gaming, Shipping
Tupelo	$138,900	85.2	Manufacturing, Furniture, Distribution

Insider Tip: The salary for a Marketing Manager at a major local employer like Forrest General Hospital or Southern Miss will often be near the $152,560 median if you have the right experience. However, marketing roles in smaller local agencies or non-profits may start lower, closer to the $85,000 - $110,000 entry-level band. You'll need to negotiate based on the specific sector.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $152,560 sounds great, but what does it mean for your monthly budget? Let’s run the numbers with Hattiesburg's specific data.

Assumptions:

• Gross Salary: $152,560/year ($12,713/month)
• Taxes (Est.): ~30% (Federal, State, FICA) → $3,814/month
• Net Take-Home Pay: $8,899/month
• Average 1BR Rent: $906/month

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Estimated Cost (Monthly)	Notes
Net Income	$8,899	After taxes
Rent (1BR Apt)	$906	City average; varies by neighborhood
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water)	$150 - $200	Hattiesburg's climate drives summer AC costs
Groceries	$400 - $500	For one person; Publix, Kroger, Walmart are mainstays
Transportation	$200 - $300	Car payment/gas; public transit is limited (HART bus system)
Insurance (Health/Car)	$450 - $600	Varies by provider; State Farm, Allstate local offices
Debt/Student Loans	$300 - $600	Highly variable
Savings/Investments	$1,500+	Highly recommended
Discretionary Spending	$2,000+	Dining out, entertainment, shopping, travel

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, absolutely. The median home price in the Hattiesburg metro is approximately $185,000 - $220,000. With a net take-home of $8,899/month, a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of $1,200 - $1,400 is very manageable, leaving ample room for savings and other expenses. This is a significant advantage over larger metropolitan areas where a similar salary would be heavily burdened by housing costs.

Where the Jobs Are: Hattiesburg's Major Employers

The job market for Marketing Managers in Hattiesburg is not vast—there are approximately 97 jobs in the metro as per BLS data—but it's stable and dominated by a few key sectors. You'll find the most opportunities in healthcare, education, and local retail/manufacturing.

1. Forrest Health (Forrest General Hospital & Affiliates): The largest healthcare system in the region. They have a dedicated marketing and communications department. Hiring trends show a consistent need for managers skilled in community outreach, physician relations, and digital marketing for patient acquisition.
2. Hattiesburg Clinic: A major multi-specialty physician practice. Their marketing team focuses on patient education, service line promotion (like orthopedics or cardiology), and physician recruitment marketing.
3. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM): A major employer with a large enrollment. The marketing department works on student recruitment, brand management, and event promotion. Positions here are competitive and often require a master's degree or significant experience.
4. Hattiesburg Public School District: While smaller budgets, they do have communications and outreach roles focused on community engagement, enrollment, and bond measure campaigns.
5. Hub City (Local Businesses & Retail): The downtown revitalization has spurred growth in local boutiques, restaurants, and service businesses. Marketing roles here are often hybrid (marketing + sales/community management) and may be at agencies like The Saer Agency or Mighty Epic.
6. Military & Government Contractors: With Keesler Air Force Base in nearby Biloxi and the Camp Shelby military training site, there are opportunities with contractors like Raytheon or Lockheed Martin in marketing, communications, and community relations, though these are more concentrated in nearby Gulfport.
7. Local Tourism & Hospitality: The Hattiesburg Convention Commission and hotels like the Hotel Indigo or The Collinworth hire for marketing roles focused on event promotion and tourism attraction.

Hiring Trend Insight: The strongest growth is in digital and content marketing. Employers are seeking managers who can manage social media, email campaigns, and website analytics. Traditional print and broadcast marketing is still used but is often blended with digital strategies.

Getting Licensed in MS

For a standard Marketing Manager role in Mississippi, no state-specific license is required. Marketing is not a licensed profession like law, medicine, or real estate in the state.

However, there are relevant certifications and memberships that can boost your credibility and are often expected by employers:

• Professional Certifications: While not state-mandated, employers highly value certifications from the American Marketing Association (AMA) or Digital Marketing Institute. The cost for a Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) exam is typically $300-$500.
• State Business License: If you start your own consulting business or freelance, you will need to register with the Mississippi Secretary of State and obtain a local business license from the City of Hattiesburg. Fees are minimal (around $50-$100 for registration).
• Timeline: You can start applying for jobs immediately. No licensing delays. If you plan to freelance, you can be set up within 2-3 weeks.

Best Neighborhoods for Marketing Managers

Where you live in Hattiesburg will define your commute and lifestyle. Traffic is minimal, but choosing a neighborhood close to your workplace is still smart.

1. Midtown / Downtown: (Near USM and Hattiesburg Clinic)
   • Vibe: Walkable, historic, with a growing arts and food scene. Home to the Hattiesburg Arts Council and local coffee shops.
   • Commute: Under 10 minutes to most downtown employers.
   • Rent Estimate: $950 - $1,200/month for a 1BR.
2. Oak Grove / D'Iberville Area: (Suburban, family-friendly)
   • Vibe: Top-rated schools, newer subdivisions, and major chain restaurants. Popular with professionals and families.
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to downtown, 20+ minutes to Keesler AFB.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,000 - $1,300/month for a 1BR or townhome.
3. West Hattiesburg / Petal: (Quiet, residential)
   • Vibe: More affordable, slower pace. Petal is a separate town just west of Hattiesburg with its own school district and small-town feel.
   • Commute: 15-20 minutes to downtown Hattiesburg.
   • Rent Estimate: $800 - $1,000/month for a 1BR.
4. The Avenues / Timberton: (Established, wooded)
   • Vibe: Mature trees, larger lots, classic Mississippi charm. Close to Hattiesburg Zoo and Paul B. Johnson State Park.
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to most workplaces.
   • Rent Estimate: $850 - $1,100/month for a 1BR.

Insider Tip: Commutes are so short that you can live almost anywhere without a major time penalty. Choose based on your lifestyle preference—walkable urban life in Midtown or suburban space in Oak Grove.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With a 10-year job growth of 8% for Marketing Managers nationally, and Hattiesburg's stable healthcare and education sectors, the outlook is steady but not explosive. To advance, you'll need to specialize.

• Specialty Premiums: In Hattiesburg, expertise in Healthcare Marketing (HIPAA-compliant patient communications, service line marketing) or Education Marketing (student recruitment, fundraising campaigns) can command a 10-15% salary premium. Digital analytics and SEO/SEM skills are universally in demand.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from Marketing Manager to Director of Marketing (moving from managing campaigns to managing a budget and team) or to a VP of Marketing in a larger organization. Given the size of most employers, you may need to look to larger regional or national companies for VP-level roles, or consider starting your own agency.
• 10-Year Outlook: Hattiesburg's growth is tied to its medical and university presence. The metro population is 48,507, which is small. To maximize your career, consider a hybrid model: work for a local employer for stability and low cost of living, but build a national network and consult remotely for higher-value projects. The growth will be in leadership and strategic roles, not in entry-level positions.

The Verdict: Is Hattiesburg Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordable Cost of Living – A $152,560 salary goes very far.	Limited Job Market – Only 97 jobs in the metro; competition can be fierce for top roles.
Very Short Commutes – Most commutes are under 15 minutes.	Lower Ceiling – Fewer Fortune 500 companies; top-tier salaries may be capped.
Tight-Knit Professional Network – Easy to build relationships.	Limited Nightlife/Culture – Smaller arts and dining scene compared to major metros.
Outdoor Recreation – Abundant parks, trails, and proximity to the Gulf Coast.	Slower Pace – Can be a pro or con depending on your energy level.
Stable Major Employers – Healthcare and education are recession-resilient.	Weather – Hot, humid summers and occasional hurricane risk.

Final Recommendation:
Hattiesburg is an excellent choice for a Marketing Manager who values work-life balance, affordability, and a near-zero commute. It's ideal for **mid-career professionals (earning around the median $152,560) looking to maximize their income against a low cost of living, or for those who want to buy a home without financial strain. It's less suitable for someone seeking a fast-paced, high-ambition career track in a major corporate hub. If stability and quality of life outweigh the need for a bustling metro scene, Hattiesburg is a hidden gem.

FAQs

Q: What is the job market like for Marketing Managers in Hattiesburg?
A: The market is small but stable, with approximately 97 jobs available. The strongest demand is in healthcare marketing (Forrest Health, Hattiesburg Clinic) and education (USM). You'll need to be proactive in networking.

Q: How does the salary compare to the national average?
A: The median salary in Hattiesburg is $152,560/year, which is slightly below the national average of $157,620/year. However, due to the significantly lower cost of living (Index of 89.3), your purchasing power is higher.

Q: Do I need a specific license to work as a Marketing Manager in Mississippi?
A: No, Mississippi does not require a state license for marketing professionals. Professional certifications (like from the AMA) are more about credibility and career advancement than legal requirement.

Q: What's the commute like from the suburbs?
A: Excellent. Hattiesburg is a compact city. Whether you live in Oak Grove, West Hattiesburg, or Midtown, your commute to most major employers will rarely exceed 15-20 minutes, even in light traffic.

Q: Is it feasible to work remotely for a company outside Hattiesburg while living there?
A: Absolutely. With the $152,560 median salary, you can secure a comfortable lifestyle in Hattiesburg while potentially earning a higher salary from a remote position based in a larger market. This is a growing trend for local professionals seeking higher income ceilings.