Mississippi · Career guide

How to become a Elementary Teacher in Mississippi

Elementary teachers (typically K-5 or K-6 depending on the state) deliver self-contained instruction across all core subjects. Hiring competition varies — popular metro districts can have dozens of applicants per opening, while rural and high-poverty districts often run staffing fairs to recruit. Bilingual / dual-language certification can dramatically expand opportunity.

No elementary teaching positions are open in Mississippi right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.

Certification path in Mississippi

  1. Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
  2. Pass the required exams. Mississippi typically requires:
    • Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
    • Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area

    Most states issue a generic elementary license (K-6 or K-8). Adding a content endorsement (e.g. middle-grades math) expands grade-level placement options.

  3. Apply for your initial license through Mississippi Department of Education. The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Mississippi Department of Education →
  4. Job-search in Mississippi. We'll track elementary teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.

Alternative pathways in Mississippi

If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Mississippi offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:

  • Mississippi Alternate Path to Quality Teachers (MAPT): Earn certification while teaching in a shortage area
  • Teach For America (active in Mississippi Delta)
  • Career and Technical Education licenses
  • Special Educator Preparation and Leadership (SEPL) program

Mississippi salary context

Average teacher salary in Mississippi: $49,534/year (rank #48 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $36,059/year.

Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Mississippi salary guide for the breakdown.

Full Mississippi certification guideAll license tiers, alt routes, and reciprocity from other states.Mississippi salary guidePay schedule, COL context, top-paying districts.Mississippi teacher shortageWhich subjects are in shortage status — and the loan-forgiveness eligibility.