Registered Nurse Career Guide: Gulfport, MS

As a local who’s watched Gulfport transform from a sleepy coastal town to a bustling healthcare hub, I can tell you this isn’t your typical Southern city. The fishing boats still head out at dawn, but now they share the harbor with medical center shuttles. For Registered Nurses, Gulfport offers a unique blend of coastal living with solid career opportunities—if you know where to look.

Gulfport sits in Harrison County, part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast metro area with a population of roughly 72,824. The cost of living sits 10.7% below the national average, anchored by surprisingly affordable housing. But don’t let the laid-back vibe fool you—this is a serious medical market with 655 nursing jobs in the metro area and steady 6% growth projected over the next decade.

The Salary Picture: Where Gulfport Stands

Let’s get straight to the numbers. The median salary for Registered Nurses in Gulfport is $83,307/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.05/hour. That’s slightly below the national average of $86,070/year, but remember this is weighed against a cost of living that’s nearly 11% cheaper. In practical terms, your dollar stretches further here than in most metro areas.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range	Hourly Equivalent
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$68,000 - $75,000	$32.69 - $36.06
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$78,000 - $88,000	$37.50 - $42.31
Senior (8-15 years)	$85,000 - $95,000	$40.87 - $45.67
Expert/Leadership (15+ years)	$92,000 - $110,000+	$44.23 - $52.88+

Comparison to Other Mississippi Cities

City	Median RN Salary	Cost of Living Index
Gulfport	$83,307	89.3
Jackson	$78,500	91.2
Hattiesburg	$72,800	88.5
Biloxi	$82,100	90.1
National Average	$86,070	100

Insider tip: Gulfport actually pays better than Jackson despite being smaller, thanks to the concentration of specialty medical centers and the coastal draw for healthcare professionals. The 655 jobs in our metro area is a healthy number for a city our size, indicating strong demand.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s break down the monthly reality for a mid-career RN earning the median $83,307/year. I’m using realistic numbers for Mississippi (no state income tax on Social Security, but you’ll pay federal and FICA).

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Gross Monthly: $6,942
• Federal Tax (est. 15%): -$1,041
• FICA (7.65%): -$531
• Health Insurance (employer plan): -$300
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$5,070

Housing Costs:

• Average 1BR Rent: $923/month
• Utilities (electric, water, internet): $180
• Renters Insurance: $15
• Total Housing: $1,118

Other Essentials:

• Groceries: $350
• Transportation (gas, insurance): $250
• Healthcare (copays, meds): $150
• Student Loans (if applicable): $200
• Total Essentials: $1,050

Remaining for Discretionary/Savings: ~$2,902

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?

With that surplus, absolutely. The median home price in Gulfport is around $185,000. With a 20% down payment ($37,000), a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would run about $1,060/month including taxes and insurance. That’s only $137 more than the average rent for a 1BR apartment.

Insider tip: Many local lenders offer special programs for healthcare workers. Hancock Whitney Bank (headquartered here) and Coastal Mississippi Federal Credit Union both have nurse-specific mortgage products with lower down payment requirements.

Where the Jobs Are: Gulfport's Major Employers

Gulfport’s healthcare ecosystem is dominated by a few major players, with specialty hospitals creating niche opportunities.

1. Memorial Hospital at Gulfport – The 800+ bed flagship of the Memorial Health System. This is where you’ll find the most varied specialties: trauma, cardiology, oncology, and a busy ER. Hiring trends show strong demand for Med-Surg, ICU, and ER nurses. They offer a $10,000 sign-on bonus for night shift positions and tuition reimbursement for BSN completion.

2. Gulfport Memorial Hospital (Satellite Campus) – Not to be confused with the main hospital, this smaller facility focuses on outpatient surgery and rehab. Better work-life balance, but fewer specialty options. Mostly hiring for surgical and post-op care.

3. Beach View Medical Center – A 150-bed community hospital with a growing orthopedic and sports medicine program. Known for lower nurse-to-patient ratios (often 1:4 on Med-Surg vs. 1:6 at larger hospitals). Excellent for nurses wanting to specialize in orthopedics or sports injury.

4. Mississippi State Hospital (Psychiatric Facility) – Located just outside Gulfport in neighboring Biloxi, but employing many Gulfport residents. Offers premium pay for psychiatric nursing (typically 10-15% above med-surg rates). Hiring trends show increasing demand for dual-diagnosis and geriatric psych specialists.

5. Ochsner Health System – This New Orleans-based system has expanded aggressively on the Gulf Coast. Their new Ochsner Medical Center-Biloxi (15 minutes from downtown Gulfport) opened in 2021 with 128 beds and is actively recruiting. They offer competitive salaries and a pathway to travel nursing within their network.

6. Keesler Air Force Base Hospital – Located in Biloxi but a major employer for Gulfport nurses. Military healthcare offers federal benefits, pension plans, and opportunities to work with active-duty personnel and their families. Requires security clearance but provides unique experience.

7. Coastal Mississippi Health Services – A network of community clinics and home health agencies. Perfect for nurses seeking 9-to-5 schedules, home health visits, or rural health experience. Hiring trends show growth in telehealth and chronic disease management roles.

Hiring Trends: Memorial Hospital is currently undergoing a $150 million expansion, creating 200+ new healthcare jobs, including nursing positions. Ochsner is also expanding outpatient services. Both are aggressively recruiting experienced nurses with sign-on bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.

Getting Licensed in MS

Mississippi’s nursing license is straightforward but requires attention to detail. The Mississippi Board of Nursing (MBN) oversees all licensure.

Requirements:

1. Education: Graduate from an ACEN or CCNE-accredited nursing program (ADN or BSN).
2. Examination: Pass the NCLEX-RN with a score of 75 or higher.
3. Background Check: FBI fingerprint check (cost: $75) and state background check (cost: $50).
4. Application Fee: $150 (paid to MBN).
5. Transient License (if coming from another state): $100 for 90-day temporary permit.

Total Start-Up Cost: $275-$375 (excluding NCLEX exam fee, which is $200).

Timeline:

• NCLEX Results: 2-10 business days after testing
• License Processing: 4-6 weeks after application submission
• Total Time: 6-8 weeks from application to full licensure

Insider tip: If you’re already licensed in another compact state (like Louisiana, Florida, or Texas), you can practice in Mississippi under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) without getting a new license. Mississippi joined the NLC in 2018. This is a huge advantage for nurses moving from neighboring states.

Best Neighborhoods for Registered Nurses

Gulfport is divided into distinct neighborhoods, each offering different lifestyles and commute times to major hospitals.

Neighborhood	Avg 1BR Rent	Commute to Memorial Hospital	Lifestyle Notes
Downtown/Courthouse District	$1,050	5-10 minutes	Historic, walkable, close to restaurants and the Gulfport V&A Waterfront. Ideal for younger nurses who want nightlife.
North Gulfport	$850	15-20 minutes	More residential, quieter, with good schools. Popular with families. Lower rent but farther from downtown amenities.
Long Beach	$950	10-15 minutes	Suburban feel, excellent public schools, wide streets. Many nurses choose this for the family-friendly environment.
Pass Christian	$900	20-25 minutes	Small-town charm, very affordable, tight-knit community. Longer commute but lower stress.
Biloxi (East of I-110)	$875	15-20 minutes	Close to Keesler AFB and Ochsner Biloxi. Mix of military families and retirees.

Insider tip: I recommend North Gulfport or Long Beach for most nurses. You get more space for your money, and the commute to Memorial Hospital is still manageable. If you work nights, consider living closer—driving home at 7 AM after a 12-hour shift can be tough when you’re exhausted.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Gulfport’s nursing market rewards specialization. Here’s how to increase your earning potential:

Specialty Premiums (Annual Salary Increase):

• ICU/CCU: +$8,000 to $12,000
• ER/Trauma: +$7,000 to $10,000
• OR/Perioperative: +$6,000 to $9,000
• Labor & Delivery: +$5,000 to $8,000
• Psychiatric: +$9,000 to $13,000 (high demand)
• Home Health: Comparable to base but with mileage reimbursement

Advancement Paths:

1. Clinical Ladder Programs – Most hospitals offer tiered advancement (Clinical Nurse I-IV) with salary bumps at each level. Memorial Hospital’s program adds $2,000 at Level II and $4,000 at Level III.
2. Charge Nurse/Team Lead – Adds $5,000-$7,000 annually. Available after 2-3 years of experience.
3. Nurse Practitioner (NP) – Requires MSN (2-3 years). NP salaries in Gulfport range from $105,000 to $125,000. University of Southern Mississippi offers a local NP program with distance learning options.
4. Nurse Educator/Manager – Requires BSN minimum, MSN preferred. Salaries range from $85,000 to $95,000 for educators and $95,000 to $110,000 for managers.

10-Year Outlook: With 6% job growth projected, Gulfport is outpacing many similar-sized metros. The aging coastal population (many retirees moving here) ensures steady demand. The biggest growth areas will be in geriatrics, home health, and specialty clinics. Nurses with BSN degrees and 3+ years of experience will have the most options and negotiating power.

Insider tip: Consider getting your Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) or Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credential. Hospitals here offer premium pay for these certifications—Memorial Hospital adds $1.50/hour ($3,120 annually) for CCRN and $1.25/hour ($2,600 annually) for CEN.

The Verdict: Is Gulfport Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordable cost of living (89.3 index, 1BR rent $923)	Lower salary ceiling than national average
No state income tax on Social Security	Hurricane risk (insurance costs can be high)
Strong job market (655 jobs, 6% growth)	Limited specialty options outside major hospitals
Coastal lifestyle (beaches, fishing, lower humidity)	Summertime humidity and bugs can be intense
Compact state license (easy for nearby states)	Fewer entertainment options than larger cities
Solid work-life balance in many facilities	Limited public transportation (car essential)

Final Recommendation: Gulfport is an excellent choice for nurses who value quality of life over maximizing income. It’s particularly well-suited for:

• Nurses from nearby compact states (LA, TX, FL) looking for an easier transition
• Those seeking a slower pace without sacrificing career opportunities
• Nurses with families who want affordability and good schools
• Outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate coastal living

If you’re a new grad, Gulfport offers a supportive environment with lower stress than major metro areas. For experienced nurses, the specialty premiums and leadership paths provide room to grow. Just be prepared for the summer heat and have a hurricane plan in place.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the job market for new graduates?
A: Moderately competitive. Memorial Hospital accepts new grads but prefers those with clinical rotations in their facilities. The key is to apply early (3-4 months before graduation) and consider starting in Med-Surg to gain experience. Coastal Mississippi Health Services also hires new grads for home health and clinic positions.

Q: What’s the typical shift differential for night/weekend work?
A: Memorial Hospital offers $3.50/hour for nights ($7,280 annually) and $2.50/hour for weekends ($5,200 annually). Ochsner and Beach View are similar. Night shift nurses can easily add $7,000-$10,000 to their annual income.

Q: Are there opportunities for travel nursing in Gulfport?
A: Yes, but they’re seasonal. The highest demand is during hurricane season (June-November) when hospitals bring in travel nurses to cover staff vacations and increased patient volume. Summer also sees an influx of tourist-related injuries. Contracts typically pay $2,000-$2,500/week for 13-week assignments.

Q: What’s the best way to network locally?
A: Join the Mississippi Nurses Association (MNA) Gulf Coast District. They host monthly meetings at Memorial Hospital’s education center. Also, follow “Gulf Coast Nursing Jobs” on Facebook—it’s a local group where employers post openings before they hit national boards.

Q: How do Gulfport hospitals compare for work-life balance?
A: Memorial Hospital is the largest but has the most demanding schedules. Beach View Medical Center is known for better ratios and calmer environments. If you prefer 9-to-5, consider Coastal Mississippi Health Services or outpatient clinics at Ochsner. For true balance, home health offers flexibility and autonomy.

---

Bottom line: Gulfport offers a rare combination of affordability, coastal living, and solid nursing opportunities. The numbers work—the median $83,307 salary, paired with $923/month rent and a 89.3 cost of living index, means you can live comfortably while building a meaningful career. If you’re willing to specialize and embrace the coastal lifestyle, Gulfport might just be your perfect fit.