Oklahoma Job Market: Top Industries, Salaries & Employers (2026)
Guide to the Oklahoma job market in 2026. Energy, aerospace, healthcare, and agriculture across Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Oklahoma's economy has diversified beyond energy into aerospace, bioscience, and technology. Oklahoma City's growth has accelerated with corporate relocations and a thriving startup scene. Tulsa's "Tulsa Remote" program has attracted thousands of remote workers with $10,000 relocation incentives.
Top Industries
- Energy: Oklahoma is #3 in natural gas and #5 in crude oil production. Devon Energy (OKC), Continental Resources, and ONEOK are headquartered here. 80,000+ energy workers. Average energy salary: $68,000.
- Aerospace & Defense: Tinker AFB (OKC — largest single-site employer in OK), American Airlines maintenance hub (Tulsa), and Boeing's Oklahoma operations. 120,000+ aerospace/defense jobs.
- Healthcare: INTEGRIS Health, OU Health, Saint Francis Health System (Tulsa), and Mercy. 200,000+ healthcare workers.
- Agriculture: #3 in cattle, top-5 in wheat and cotton. Agriculture contributes $8B+ annually with food processing adding another $6B.
- Technology: OKC's growing tech scene includes Paycom (HQ, 6,000+ employees), SONIC Drive-In digital, and MidFirst Bank tech operations. Tulsa's tech sector grew 20% since 2020.
Major Employers
| Employer | Industry | Approx. OK Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Tinker Air Force Base | Defense | 26,000+ |
| State of Oklahoma | Government | 35,000+ |
| INTEGRIS Health | Healthcare | 11,000+ |
| Walmart | Retail | 30,000+ |
| University of Oklahoma | Education | 14,000+ |
| Paycom | Technology | 6,500+ |
| Devon Energy | Energy | 2,500+ |
Average Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Avg Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $52,470 | 88 |
| Tulsa | $50,840 | 85 |
| Norman | $47,630 | 88 |
| Stillwater | $43,520 | 82 |
| Lawton | $42,870 | 78 |
Growing Sectors
- Drone/UAS Industry: Oklahoma is a national leader in unmanned aerial systems testing and research at OSU and in Tulsa.
- Bioscience: OKC's Innovation District and OU Health Sciences Center drive biomedical research growth.
- Wind Energy: Oklahoma is #3 nationally in wind power generation. 9,000+ wind energy jobs with significant growth projected.
Remote Work Availability
Tulsa Remote offers $10,000 to remote workers who relocate — one of the most successful programs nationally. OKC also has growing coworking infrastructure. Oklahoma's extremely low cost of living (median home $180,000) makes remote salaries go very far.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma?
$7.25/hour (federal floor). However, market competition pushes most entry-level wages to $10-14. Energy sector entry-level starts at $16-22/hour.