#5: Mississippi
Jobs Gained: 6.4%
Jobs Lost: 6.1%
Mississippi had a surprisingly active job market, with a higher share of jobs being created than in many states. New jobs can come from manufacturing, health care, transportation, agriculture-related work, and local service businesses that support growing communities.

But Mississippi also lost a sizable share of jobs. Some industries face lower wages, weaker demand, rural population loss, and businesses that struggle to expand. That means new jobs are coming in, but the state still has to fight against closures, cutbacks, and limited opportunity in some areas.
