| Employer | Industry type | Employees |
| NAS Meridian | Military | 3,000 |
| Rush Hospital | Healthcare | 2,610 |
| East Mississippi State Hospital | Healthcare | 1,500 |
| Meridian Public School District | Education | 1,050 |
| Anderson Hospital | Healthcare | 1,475 |
| Peavey Electronics | Manufacturing | 1,000 |
| Lauderdale County School District | Education | 958 |
| Riley Hospital | Healthcare | 915 |
| City of Meridian | Government | 570 |
| Mississippi Air National Guard | Military | 420 |
| Alliance Health Center | Healthcare | 385 |
| Structural Steel Services | Manufacturing | 350 |
| Meridian Community College | Education | 327 |
| Avery Dennison | Manufacturing | 300 |
| National Electronic Warranty | Service | 293 |
| Van Zyverden, Inc. | Distribution | 250 |
| Lockheed Martin | Manufacturing | 228 |
| Atlas Roofing | Manufacturing | 215 |
| Newell Paper | Wholesale | 215 |
| Southern Cast Products | Manufacturing | 165 |
| Magnolia Steel | Manufacturing | 160 |
| Sara Lee | Food | 150 |
| Tower Automotive | Automotive | 175 |
| Mitchell Distributing | Distribution | 120 |
| Southern Pipe and Supply | Distribution | 100 |
| The Coca-Cola Company | Distribution | 96 |