Alabama vs Mississippi: Healthcare Job Market Comparison
Deep South healthcare. UAB anchors Alabama; Mississippi has some of the nation's most underserved markets.
Alabama
2,075
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $68,290
- Avg physician salary
- $338,000
- Cost of living
- 88.1
- Top state income tax
- 5%
Mississippi
2,227
providers in directory
- Avg RN salary
- $66,980
- Avg physician salary
- $355,000
- Cost of living
- 85.6
- Top state income tax
- 4.4%
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Alabama | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Providers in directory | 2,075 | 2,227 |
| Cities served | 191 | 168 |
| Avg RN salary (BLS May 2024) | $68,290 | $66,980 |
| Avg physician salary | $338,000 | $355,000 |
| Cost of living (100 = US avg) | 88.1 | 85.6 |
| State income tax (top rate) | 5% | 4.4% |
Salary figures are approximate, drawn from public sources including BLS, Medscape, and Doximity compensation reports.
Top Cities for Providers
Alabama
- Birmingham444
- Mobile265
- Huntsville176
- Montgomery104
- Tuscaloosa93
Mississippi
- Jackson458
- Hattiesburg143
- Tupelo107
- Meridian100
- Gulfport88
Notable Health Systems
Alabama
- • UAB Health
- • Huntsville Hospital
- • DCH Health System
Mississippi
- • University of Mississippi Medical Center
- • Baptist Memorial
- • North Mississippi Health
Medical Licensure Boards
Each state has its own medical board. Check fees, required CME hours, and reciprocity before applying.
Alabama
https://www.albme.gov/Mississippi
https://www.msbml.ms.gov/Frequently Asked Questions
Which state pays nurses more, Alabama or Mississippi?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), registered nurses in Alabama earn an average of $68,290, compared to $66,980 in Mississippi. The gap is roughly $1,310 per year before adjusting for cost of living.
Which state has higher physician salaries, Alabama or Mississippi?
Aggregated compensation data shows physicians in Mississippi earn approximately $355,000 on average, compared to $338,000 in Alabama. Specialty and practice setting drive much larger variations than state averages suggest.
How does the cost of living compare between Alabama and Mississippi?
Using the MERIC Q4 2024 cost-of-living index (100 = national average), Alabama is 88.1 and Mississippi is 85.6. Mississippi (85.6) is the more affordable of the two, while Alabama (88.1) is more expensive. Housing is typically the largest driver of these differences.
How many healthcare providers practice in Alabama vs. Mississippi?
The Ava Health directory lists 2,075 providers in Alabama across 191 cities, and 2,227 providers in Mississippi across 168 cities. All data is sourced from the CMS NPPES NPI registry and updated regularly.
Which state has a more favorable tax environment for healthcare providers?
Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5%, while Mississippi's top rate is 4.4%. Always factor in property tax, sales tax, and local taxes before making a relocation decision — states with no income tax often offset through higher sales or property taxes.
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