Software Developer in Biloxi, MS

The Salary Picture: Where Biloxi Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Biloxi’s tech scene isn’t about Silicon Valley salaries or swarms of venture capital. It’s a steady, growing market anchored by defense, healthcare, and the gaming industry. For a Software Developer, that translates to a solid middle-class living with a lower cost of entry than most tech hubs. The median salary here is $123,174/year, or about $59.22/hour. While that’s slightly below the national average for Software Developers at $127,260/year, the real differentiator is what that money buys you in Biloxi.

The local job market is tight but growing. There are approximately 294 Software Developer positions in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth projection is a healthy 17%. This growth isn’t explosive, but it’s resilient, tied to the stability of government and healthcare contracts rather than boom-bust startup cycles.

To understand where you fit, let’s break it down by experience. This table, based on local job postings and industry conversations, gives a realistic view.

Experience Level	Typical Local Salary Range	Common Local Roles
Entry-Level	$75,000 - $95,000	Junior Developer, IT Support (with coding), QA Analyst
Mid-Level	$95,000 - $130,000	Software Engineer, Full-Stack Developer, Systems Analyst
Senior-Level	$130,000 - $160,000	Senior Software Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Tech Lead
Expert/Principal	$160,000+	Principal Engineer, Architect, Director of Engineering

How Biloxi Compares to Other MS Cities:

• Jackson: The state capital has more government and legacy corporate jobs (e.g., Trustmark Bank, C Spire). Salaries can be 5-10% higher, but the cost of living in the Jackson suburbs (Madison/Ridgeland) is significantly higher.
• Oxford/MSU Area: Home to a growing tech scene fueled by the university. Salaries are competitive with Biloxi, but the economy is more academic and less industrial/defense-focused.
• Gulfport: Our neighbor to the west shares the same salary band and many of the same employers (especially in gaming and healthcare). There’s no significant salary advantage to living in one over the other; it’s more about commute and neighborhood preference.

Insider Tip: The $123,174 median is buoyed by the gaming and healthcare sectors. A developer at a major casino or a hospital system might hit the upper end of the mid-level range faster than someone in a generalist role at a small business.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

This is where Biloxi truly shines. Let’s run the numbers for a developer earning the median salary of $123,174.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $123,174
• Filing Status: Single, no dependents
• Taxes: Federal, State (MS has a flat 5% income tax), FICA (7.65%)
• Take-Home Pay: Approximately $89,500/year or $7,458/month (after taxes and standard deductions).
• Rent: The average 1BR rent in Biloxi is $923/month. We’ll use $1,100 for a nicer, modern unit in a good area.

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$7,458
Rent (1BR)	$1,100	15% of take-home pay. Very affordable.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	$250	High in summer due to AC; mild winters help.
Groceries	$400	Reasonable. Local chains like Rouses and Walmart are staples.
Car Payment/Insurance	$600	A reliable car is a must in Biloxi. Insurance is higher due to weather.
Health Insurance (Employer Plan)	$300	Varies, but a common estimate.
Retirement Savings (10% pre-tax)	$1,030	Crucial for long-term growth.
Discretionary (Dining, Fun, Travel)	$1,800	You have significant disposable income here.
Total Expenses	$4,480
Remaining	$2,978	This is your savings & buffer.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Absolutely. The median home price in the Biloxi-Gulfport metro is around $220,000. With a $2,978 monthly surplus, a developer could easily save for a down payment in 2-3 years. A 20% down payment ($44,000) is within reach. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) for a $220k home would be roughly $1,400-$1,500, which is under 20% of the take-home pay. Homeownership is very feasible here on this salary.

Where the Jobs Are: Biloxi's Major Employers

The job market here is dominated by a few key sectors. You won’t find Google or Meta here, but you will find stable, well-paying employers with complex technical needs.

1. Gaming & Hospitality (The "Casino Coast"):

   • Employers: MGM Resorts (MGM Beau Rivage), Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Penn National Gaming (Hollywood Casino).
   • Roles: They need developers for loyalty systems, mobile apps, internal HR/payroll software, and cybersecurity. These are large, sophisticated IT departments.
   • Hiring Trend: Steady. They upgrade systems constantly and are investing more in mobile and data analytics for guest experiences.

2. Healthcare:

   • Employers: Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, Merit Health Biloxi, Ochsner Health System (a major regional player).
   • Roles: Epic analysts, healthcare application developers, data analysts for patient care systems, and compliance/security specialists. The move to electronic health records (EHR) is perpetual.
   • Hiring Trend: Strong. Healthcare IT is a recession-proof sector, and with an aging population, the need for tech is only growing.

3. Defense & Aerospace (The "Golden Triangle" Connection):

   • Employers: Northrop Grumman, Huntington Ingalls Industries (Pascagoula shipyard, a short drive), and a network of defense contractors.
   • Roles: Systems engineers, embedded software developers, and cybersecurity analysts. These jobs often require or prefer US citizenship and sometimes security clearances.
   • Hiring Trend: Very stable. Tied to long-term government contracts. The best way in is through a contractor or by securing a clearance.

4. Financial Services:

   • Employers: Local banks like The First, ABA (formerly American Bankers Association), and regional credit unions.
   • Roles: Mainframe developers (yes, they're still here), web developers for online banking, and data security analysts.
   • Hiring Trend: Slow but steady modernization. Legacy systems are being slowly migrated, creating a need for both old-school and new-school developers.

5. Public Sector & Education:

   • Employers: City of Biloxi, Harrison County School District, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
   • Roles: IT support, network administrators, and developers for municipal software (like permitting systems). Usually more generalist roles.
   • Hiring Trend: Budget-dependent, but public sector jobs are stable with good benefits.

Insider Tip: The best jobs at the casinos and hospitals are often not advertised publicly. Networking at local tech meetups (like the Biloxi Devs group) or through the Mississippi Technology Alliance can uncover these opportunities. A LinkedIn search filtering for "Biloxi" and "Software Developer" will show most of the open roles.

Getting Licensed in MS

For Software Developers, Mississippi has no state-specific license required to practice, unlike fields like engineering or architecture. However, there are important certifications and requirements to be aware of.

• General Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field is the standard entry ticket. Many local employers, especially in defense and healthcare, will specifically look for a degree. For self-taught developers, a strong portfolio and relevant experience (e.g., on GitHub) are essential.
• Costs & Certifications: While not state-mandated, certain certifications can significantly boost your salary and employability.
  • Cloud Certifications (AWS/Azure): Highly valued, especially by consultants and healthcare IT. Exam costs are $150-$300.
  • Security Certifications (CISSP, Security+): Critical for defense and healthcare. CISSP exam is $749.
  • Project Management (PMP): Useful for moving into leadership. Exam fee is $555 for non-members.
• Timeline: If you're starting from scratch with no degree, expect 2-4 years for a bachelor's or a solid bootcamp + portfolio. With a degree, you can start applying immediately. The interview process for local jobs is typically 2-4 weeks.

Best Neighborhoods for Software Developers

Biloxi is a long, narrow city. Your commute is mostly along Highway 90 or I-10. Here’s a local’s guide to where you might live.

1. D'Iberville (North of I-10):

   • Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, modern. Home to the "Crossroads" shopping center.
   • Commute: Easy 10-15 minute drive to most employers in Biloxi/Gulfport. Good access to I-10.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400 for a 1BR/2BR apartment. Newer complexes are plentiful.

2. East Biloxi (Near Keesler AFB):

   • Vibe: Quiet, residential, with a mix of older homes and new subdivisions.
   • Commute: 10-20 minutes to central Biloxi. Keesler AFB traffic can add 5-10 minutes at rush hour.
   • Rent Estimate: $900 - $1,200. More affordable for single-family home rentals.

3. Gulfport (West of Biloxi):

   • Vibe: Slightly more urban and diverse than Biloxi. Home to the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.
   • Commute: A 15-25 minute drive to central Biloxi. Traffic is usually light unless there's an event at the casinos.
   • Rent Estimate: $950 - $1,300. Similar pricing to Biloxi, with more variety in housing stock.

4. Ocean Springs (East of Biloxi):

   • Vibe: Artsy, historic, walkable downtown. A popular choice for creatives and young professionals.
   • Commute: 20-30 minutes to central Biloxi. The Fort Bayou bridge can be a bottleneck.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,200 - $1,600. Premium for the charm and walkability.

5. Downtown Biloxi (The Point/Casino Row):

   • Vibe: Urban, touristy, and lively. You're in the heart of the action.
   • Commute: Walk to work if you're at a casino. A short drive for others.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,300 - $1,800+ for luxury apartments. Limited availability.

Insider Tip: If you work from home or for a casino, living in Ocean Springs or D'Iberville offers a better quality of life. If you need to be on-site at Keesler AFB or a shipyard, East Biloxi or D'Iberville is your best bet for a short, stress-free commute.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Biloxi, career growth is less about jumping to a bigger company every two years and more about deepening your expertise within a sector or moving into leadership.

Specialty Premiums (Estimated % above median):

• DevOps/Cloud Engineering: +15-20%. The move to cloud infrastructure is happening, and skilled engineers are scarce.
• Cybersecurity: +20-25%. Critical for gaming (PCI compliance) and defense (clearances). A CISSP here is gold.
• Data Science/Analytics: +10-15%. Growing in healthcare (patient outcomes) and gaming (customer behavior).
• Full-Stack Development: Baseline. The most common and versatile skill set.

Advancement Paths:

1. Technical Track: Junior -> Mid -> Senior -> Principal/Lead Engineer. At this level, you’re a subject matter expert, perhaps for a specific casino system or a hospital’s EHR platform. Salary can reach $160,000+.
2. Management Track: Senior Developer -> Tech Lead -> Engineering Manager -> Director of IT. This path is common in healthcare and corporate IT. It requires people skills and business acumen. Salaries can exceed $180,000 at the director level.
3. Consulting/Contracting: Many senior developers in Biloxi work as contractors for defense or healthcare projects. Hourly rates can be $75-$110/hour, but you trade stability for higher pay and must manage your own benefits.

10-Year Outlook:
The 17% job growth is solid. The key drivers will be:

• Healthcare IT: The ongoing digitization of medicine.
• Defense Tech: The need for advanced systems at Ingalls Shipbuilding and Keesler AFB.
• Gaming Tech: The push into mobile apps and data-driven marketing.
• Remote Work: A growing number of Biloxi-based developers are working remotely for national companies, bringing coastal living to their career. This trend will likely continue, expanding opportunities beyond the local market.

Insider Tip: The best way to advance is to get a project management certification (PMP) or a cloud architecture cert (AWS Solutions Architect) after you have 5+ years of experience. This opens doors to leadership and high-paying contract roles.

The Verdict: Is Biloxi Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Affordability: Your $123,174 salary goes much further than on the coasts.	Limited Tech Community: Fewer meetups, conferences, and networking events than major cities.
Stable, Growing Market: 17% growth in resilience sectors (healthcare, defense).	Potential for Stagnation: If you don’t actively seek out new skills, you can get siloed in legacy systems.
Unique Lifestyle: Beaches, seafood, and a laid-back Southern culture.	Hurricane Risk: A real consideration for property and insurance costs.
Low Commute: Most commutes are under 20 minutes.	Few "Blue-Chip" Tech Employers: No FAANG or major tech unicorns.
Path to Homeownership: Very feasible on this salary.	Salaries Cap Lower: Top-end earnings are below national tech hubs.

Final Recommendation:
Biloxi is not for the developer seeking the fast-paced, startup-driven career of Austin or Seattle. It is an ideal choice for a mid-career developer who values work-life balance, affordability, and stability. It’s perfect for someone who wants to buy a home, enjoy the outdoors, and build a deep, specialized expertise in a sector like healthcare or defense. If you’re early in your career and crave a massive, diverse tech network, you might find it limiting. But if you’re ready to plant roots and grow a meaningful career without the financial stress of a major metro, Biloxi is a compelling and often overlooked destination.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a security clearance to get a good job here?
A: Not for all jobs, but it’s a huge advantage. Jobs with defense contractors (like Northrop Grumman or at the Keesler AFB) often require or prefer a clearance. Getting one can take months, but it significantly boosts your marketability and salary. Start with a contractor who can sponsor you.

Q: How is the remote work scene in Biloxi?
A: It’s growing. Many local developers work remotely for companies in New Orleans, Houston, or even nationally. The internet infrastructure is decent (AT&T Fiber is available in many areas), making remote work viable. This is a great way to access higher national salaries while living on Biloxi’s cost of living.

Q: What’s the best way to network locally?
A: Check the Mississippi Technology Alliance website for events. Look for Biloxi Devs or similar groups on Meetup.com. Also, attend industry-specific events like the Gulf Coast Cyber Summit or healthcare IT conferences at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The community is small, so word-of-mouth is powerful.

Q: Is the cost of living really as low as it seems?
A: Yes, but with caveats. Rent and home prices are low. Utilities (especially electricity in the summer) and car insurance (due to