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- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Recent official figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveal a nuanced picture for employment and wage trends across Oklahoma and its metropolitan areas, highlighting both statewide stability and regional distinctions.
Statewide, Oklahoma's employment was largely unchanged between March 2025 and March 2026, with a recorded level of 1,700,600 jobs in March 2026. Among the state's three largest counties, however, there was a divergence: employment declined in Cleveland County by 0.9% and in Oklahoma County by 0.8%, while Tulsa County experienced a 1.4% increase. Collectively, these three counties accounted for over half of total covered employment in Oklahoma. [BLS Oklahoma County Employment and Wages Release]
Wage growth in Oklahoma was modest compared to the national picture. The average weekly wage statewide increased by 3.6% over the year, reaching $1,235, but remained below the national average of $1,654. Within major metropolitan counties, Cleveland saw the highest wage growth (+2.5%), followed by Tulsa (+1.2%), both trailing the national average wage growth rate of 3.9%. Average weekly wages also remained below national levels in Oklahoma's largest counties: $1,441 in Oklahoma County, $1,352 in Tulsa County, and $1,014 in Cleveland County.[BLS Oklahoma County Employment and Wages Release]
Looking at smaller counties, all reported wage levels under the national mark. Dewey County registered the state's highest average weekly wage ($1,637), while Jefferson County had the lowest ($680). Across Oklahoma's 77 counties, there was significant wage variability, but most counties fell in the $900–$1,099 weekly wage range.[BLS Oklahoma County Employment and Wages Release]
Turning to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, BLS reported an average hourly wage of $29.00 in May 2025, below the national average of $33.54. Higher-paying occupational groups locally included management ($59.53 per hour), legal ($49.44), and architecture and engineering ($49.11), while lower-wage groups were food preparation and serving related ($14.38), personal care and service ($16.03), and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($16.87).[BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Oklahoma City]
The Oklahoma City area had significant employment concentrations in office and administrative support (12.7%), food preparation and serving (10.2%), and transportation and material moving (9.3%). Notably, food preparation and serving accounted for a higher share of local jobs than the national average, but these jobs typically paid well below the national rate—local fast food and counter workers earned $12.17 per hour compared to $17.86 nationally.[BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Oklahoma City]
In summary, official BLS data indicate that overall employment in Oklahoma has remained steady, though major metropolitan areas show differing trends. Wage growth, both at the state and metropolitan levels, lags national averages, and local wage rates remain below national benchmarks. Variability in wages across geographic and occupational groups is significant, reflecting the diverse composition of the Oklahoma labor market.
