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The state's unemployment rate fell to 8.7 percent in May from 8.8 percent in April, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's the lowest level since March 2009 and below the state's 10.7 percent jobless rate in May 2011.
The number of unemployed Mississippians fell to 116,000, down slightly from April and down from 143,000 a year ago.
A separate survey of employer payrolls shows that the number of nonfarm employees in the state fell during the month and was also below May 2011.
Mississippi retained the eighth-highest jobless rate among the states. Nevada's 11.6 percent unemployment rate was highest.
The national unemployment rate rose to 8.2 percent in May from 8.1 percent in April.