Controller.
Jackson.
$122,000
median salary, 19% below the national average
$94,000 to $161,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Jackson is 21% cheaper than the national average. For Controllers, that shakes out to a median of $122,000, with the full range spanning $94,000 to $161,000. Company revenue and organizational complexity are the dominant pay factors. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $110,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$79,000
to $98,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$104,000
to $128,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$134,000
to $159,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$153,000
to $189,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $24,000 to the total package.
Base
$122,000
Equity
$13,000
Bonus
$9,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $146,000
How Jackson compares
Jackson, MS
$122,000
Cost of living: 21% below average
National Average
$150,000
Jackson is $28,000 below
Controller salary by city
Salary by role in Jackson
What you should know
The Controller landscape in Jackson is not what most salary sites will tell you. Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, healthcare, and energy. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is a major employer. Jackson offers some of the lowest living costs in the country, making even moderate salaries deliver substantial purchasing power. Company revenue and organizational complexity are the dominant pay factors. Controllers at companies generating $100 million or more in revenue earn 25 to 40% more than those at smaller firms. Public company experience, especially SEC reporting and SOX compliance expertise, commands significant premiums over private company controller roles.
Senior accountants earn $80,000 to $100,000 before advancing. Accounting managers earn $100,000 to $130,000. Assistant controllers reach $120,000 to $160,000. Controllers earn $140,000 to $200,000. The path to CFO typically goes through VP of Finance at $180,000 to $260,000. In Jackson, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 21% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 15 to 25% tied to audit outcomes, reporting accuracy, and financial close timelines are standard. Equity grants at pre-IPO companies can be substantial, ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 annually. Controllers often receive professional development budgets for CPA CPE. And on the tax side: mississippi's top income tax rate is 5%. Jackson has no city income tax. The very low cost of living means take home pay goes further here than almost any other metro. When someone quotes you $122,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against regional healthcare and government pay scales. Jackson employers offer competitive benefits packages to compensate for lower base salaries. The range for Controllers in Jackson runs from $94,000 to $161,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
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