Nurse Practitioner Pay

Gulfport vs Meridian: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Gulfport, MS and Meridian, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$132,571
$63.74/hr
Meridian, MS
$111,193
$53.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSMeridian, MS
Median Salary$132,571$111,193
Hourly Rate$63.74$53.46
Entry Level (P10)$104,226$88,533
25th Percentile$114,488$100,465
75th Percentile$145,554$129,053
Top Earner (P90)$176,289$139,909
Total Employed6007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($132,571) and Meridian ($111,193) nurse practitioner salaries.GulfportMeridianMedian Salary$132,571$111,193Entry Level (P10)$104,226$88,533Top Earner (P90)$176,289$139,909US Median $136,864

Verdict

Gulfport, MS offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Meridian.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Meridian is $21,378 (19.23%). Gulfport's median is -3.14% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $72,063,Meridian spans $51,376. Gulfport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$104,226
P25$114,488
Median$132,571
P75$145,554
P90 (Top)$176,289
Meridian
P10 (Entry)$88,533
P25$100,465
Median$111,193
P75$129,053
P90 (Top)$139,909

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gulfport ($147,291 effective) pays 13.52% more than Meridian ($129,747 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $132,571
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $147,291
Meridian
Nominal: $111,193
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $129,747

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,571/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($176,289)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,291)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Meridian if…

  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Gulfport grew 23.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.8% growth in Meridian over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+23.7%

$103,610 (2019) → $128,150 (2025)

Meridian, MS

+5.8%

$101,555 (2024) → $107,485 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Gulfport or Meridian?

Gulfport has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $132,571/year, compared to Meridian at $111,193/year — a difference of $21,378 (19.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Meridian?

Gulfport nurse practitioners earn $63.74/hr while Meridian hygienists earn $53.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Meridian as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Meridian. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $147,291, Meridian = $129,747), job availability (600 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Gulfport vs Meridian?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $104,226 in Gulfport and $88,533 in Meridian. The Gulfport area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov