Mississippi: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #22 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 2,961,279.
Mississippi ranks #22 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (41.2). Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest risk at 30.0 (Low), while Retail Trade is the most challenging at 59.2 (High). The 29.3-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 141,999 jobs.
Mississippi: 41.2 Average Entry Risk
Mississippi at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Mississippi
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Mississippi.
Entry Risk by Industry in Mississippi
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Mississippi. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Mississippi Industry Data: 68,556 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 30.0 | #8/51 | 3,186 | 11,475 | $49,157 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 31.3 | #8/51 | 6,483 | 66,382 | $38,285 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 33.4 | #5/51 | 11,900 | 40,276 | $73,166 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 35.6 | #21/51 | 6,852 | 125,370 | $22,250 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 35.9 | #8/51 | 5,322 | 22,426 | $46,553 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 38.3 | #23/51 | 8,278 | 141,999 | $52,851 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 43.1 | #23/51 | 1,456 | 9,506 | $65,819 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 50.8 | #36/51 | 6,876 | 50,576 | $67,288 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 54.5 | #36/51 | 5,834 | 33,353 | $76,025 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 59.2 | #51/51 | 12,369 | 138,774 | $33,285 |
Largest Industries in Mississippi by Employment
Metro Markets in Mississippi
3 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Mississippi Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Mississippi: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Mississippi's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Mississippi averages 41.2 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #22 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Mississippi?
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest entry risk in Mississippi at 30.0 (Low). It employs 11,475 workers across 3,186 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Mississippi?
Retail Trade posts Mississippi's highest entry risk at 59.2 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Mississippi?
68,556 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Mississippi, employing 640,137 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Mississippi's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Mississippi with 141,999 jobs across 8,278 establishments and an entry risk score of 38.3.