The average salary in Oklahoma in 2026 is approximately $54,800 per year, below the national average of $63,800, but with two distinct labour markets operating within the state. Oklahoma City and Tulsa both offer professional salary levels that are meaningfully higher than the statewide average. For workers in aerospace, energy, healthcare, and technology, Oklahoma competes effectively with many larger markets when the cost of living is taken into account.
Oklahoma also has no state income tax on military retirement income, making it a notable destination for retiring military personnel. Oklahoma’s economic story in 2026 is one of managed diversification. The state’s historical dependence on oil and gas remains significant. Still, aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and a growing technology sector have provided meaningful economic diversification, moderating the volatility of previously created energy price cycles.
The Average Salary in Oklahoma 2026
Average Salary in Oklahoma by City
| City | Average Annual Salary | Key Industries |
| Oklahoma City | $60,400 | Aerospace (Boeing, Tinker AFB), energy, healthcare, government, and financial services |
| Tulsa | $58,800 | Oil and gas, aerospace (American Airlines MRO), healthcare, and manufacturing |
| Norman | $57,200 | University of Oklahoma, healthcare, government, technology |
| Broken Arrow | $58,400 | Aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and retail |
| Edmond | $64,200 | Oklahoma City suburb; financial services, healthcare, corporate management |
| Lawton | $50,800 | Military (Fort Sill), healthcare, government, retail |
| Stillwater | $52,600 | Oklahoma State University, healthcare, manufacturing, government |
Tinker Air Force Base and Oklahoma’s Aerospace Economy
Oklahoma City’s most distinctive economic asset is Tinker Air Force Base, the largest military installation in Oklahoma and one of the world’s largest air logistics complexes. Tinker employs approximately 26,000 military and civilian workers in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations for the US Air Force’s fleet of B-52s, E-3s, E-6s, KC-135s, and other aircraft. The civilian workforce at Tinker earns federal civilian wages that are competitive with private-sector equivalents, along with strong benefits and job security.
The Tinker ecosystem has also attracted private aerospace MRO operations to Oklahoma City. American Airlines operates a major MRO facility at Tulsa International Airport, one of the largest airline maintenance centers in the world, employing thousands of aviation maintenance technicians, engineers, and support staff. This concentration of aerospace manufacturing and maintenance expertise has made Oklahoma one of the top-performing states in the country for aerospace employment per capita.
Average Salary in Oklahoma by Industry
| Industry | Average Annual Salary | Notes |
| Aerospace / Aviation MRO | $65,000-$110,000 | Tinker AFB civilian, American Airlines Tulsa, Boeing Oklahoma City |
| Oil and Gas | $72,000-$130,000 | Devon Energy, Continental Resources, Chesapeake legacy workforce |
| Healthcare | $58,000-$92,000 | OU Health, Saint Francis Health, Mercy; a large statewide system |
| Financial Services | $62,000-$98,000 | Bank of Oklahoma, First American, Love’s Travel Stops corporate |
| Federal Government / Military | $58,000-$95,000 | Tinker, Fort Sill, federal agencies; competitive benefits and pension |
| Technology | $68,000-$105,000 | Growing OKC tech scene; OneGas, Paycom, FlightBridge; Tulsa Remote alumni |
| Manufacturing | $55,000-$82,000 | Steel, glass, food processing; AAON HVAC manufacturing |
| Education | $46,000-$65,000 | OU, OSU, smaller universities; K-12 teacher pay below national average |
Oklahoma Salary FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma in 2026?
Oklahoma’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, matching the federal minimum. Oklahoma has not enacted a state minimum wage above the federal floor, and local municipalities are legally preempted from setting higher local rates. Workers in the aerospace, oil and gas, healthcare, and technology sectors earn many times the minimum. Still, workers in retail, food service, and hospitality may be at or near the federal floor.
Is Tulsa a good city for remote workers in 2026?
Tulsa has developed a genuine reputation as one of the best cities in America for remote workers, partly through the Tulsa Remote program, which paid workers $10,000 to relocate, and partly through the community of remote-worker alumni who have stayed and built a visible professional social network.
The cost of living is extraordinary: one-bedroom apartments in good Tulsa neighborhoods run $900 to $1,300 per month. For a remote worker earning a coastal salary while living in Tulsa, the financial advantage is dramatic. See also: top 15 best cities for remote workers in America 2026.
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