Career Coaching
in Hattiesburg

Employment Landscape

Hattiesburg’s labor market shows measured expansion, particularly in healthcare, education, tourism, and government services. A recent report notes about 400 jobs were added across the metro area over the past year, lifting the labor force to around 70,000 and keeping unemployment low in the 3 to 3.5 percent range. Growth in leisure and hospitality stands out, buoyed by events like the NCAA baseball regional that brought an estimated 4 to 7 million dollars of economic activity and lifted restaurant and hotel traffic by 15 to 25 percent. Mid‑sized employers like Camellia Healthcare, Merit Health Wesley, Hood Companies, and financial institutions such as The First, ANBA and Sunbelt Federal Credit Union remain steady sources of employment. Investment in new development, including over 400 million dollars in announced or ongoing projects and the opening of Midtown Green as a community focal point, suggest gentle momentum for job seekers—but competition remains and sourcing the right fit requires strategy and persistence.

Dominant Industries

Typical Roles

Hiring Patterns

Healthcare and education continue to hire with realism around roles beyond traditional clinical and teaching posts—maintenance, general services, and administrative support have openings. Leisure and hospitality sees periodic uplifts tied to events and tourism, while manufacturing remains stable or contracting slowly. Financial services and credit unions provide consistent but selective hiring.

"Finding a job in Hattiesburg means being ready for diverse openings—from a painting or cook role at the hospital to a data or production position at a local manufacturer—but you will face realistic competition and must tap into local channels to get ahead."