Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.

Total employment in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS market rose by 1,388 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS unemployment rate is 69 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 140 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in February versus prior month by -1.0% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS Unemployment February 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 35,600; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 32,200; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 25,100; -500
  • Manufacturing: 18,100; +200
  • Business Services: 16,800; -200
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,600; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 8,100; +200
  • Financial Services: 5,400; no change
  • Other Jobs: 5,200; +100
  • IT & Development: 1,500; no change
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS Unemployment by Industry February 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.