Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Oklahoma has about 1.79 million employed workers, with energy, aerospace, agriculture and healthcare as leading employers.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED OKNA).
Unemployment
Oklahoma's unemployment rate was 3.4% in 2024, close to the national average.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED OKUR).
| Indicator | Oklahoma | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 3.4 | 4 |
Labor Force
Oklahoma's labor force totals about 1.85 million workers, with participation below the national average.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED OKLF).
| Indicator | Oklahoma | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation (%) | 61 | 62.7 |
Occupations
Oklahoma's job market is anchored by energy extraction, aerospace maintenance, agriculture and government employment.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
Salaries
Oklahoma's median annual wage is about $43,500, below the national median, reflecting a lower cost of living.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU40000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU40000000500000003).
| Indicator | Oklahoma | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (USD) | 43500 | 48060 |
Remote Work
Remote work in Oklahoma remains below the national average, with about 6% of workers primarily working from home.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Oklahoma | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 6 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
Oklahoma's workforce participation rate of 61.0% trails the national average, partly reflecting an older, more rural population base.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA40).
| Indicator | Oklahoma | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce participation (%) | 61 | 62.7 |