Table of contents
- Oklahoma employment statistics at a glance
- What the latest labor data says
- Employment by major industry
- How Oklahoma compares across workforce measures
- Metropolitan labor markets in Oklahoma
- Business base and payroll context
- What these numbers suggest for employers and workers
Oklahoma employment statistics at a glance
Oklahoma employment statistics show a labor market with a large workforce, a relatively low unemployment rate, and a broad mix of public and private jobs. The latest figures also show how different industries and metro areas contribute to the state’s employment base, from government and trade to education, health care, and construction.
Fast facts
- Civilian labor force: 2,007.1 thousand in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance)
- Employment: 1,944.9 thousand in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance)
- Unemployment: 62.2 thousand in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance)
- Unemployment rate: 3.1% in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance)
- Total nonfarm employment: 1,802.3 thousand in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance)
- 12-month change in total nonfarm employment: 1.3% in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance)
Big number: Oklahoma’s labor force was 2,007.1 thousand in August 2025, while unemployment remained at 62.2 thousand (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
Key takeaways
- The state’s labor force and employment totals are both large enough to support a diversified job market.
- A 3.1% unemployment rate places Oklahoma in a relatively tight labor environment in the August 2025 snapshot (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- The sector mix is balanced enough that no single industry tells the whole story.
- Metro labor markets, especially Oklahoma City and Tulsa, carry a large share of the state’s workforce activity.
What the latest labor data says
The newest monthly snapshot gives a straightforward picture: Oklahoma has more than two million people in the labor force, and almost 1.95 million of them were employed in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance). That leaves 62.2 thousand people unemployed, which is a modest share of the labor force by modern U.S. labor standards, and it keeps the statewide unemployment rate at 3.1% (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
The bigger macro signal is the size of the total nonfarm employment base. At 1,802.3 thousand, Oklahoma’s nonfarm payroll employment represents the core of wage-and-salary jobs tracked in the state, and its 1.3% 12-month increase suggests steady expansion rather than a sharp surge or a downturn (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
At a glance table
| Measure | Latest figure | Source label |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 2,007.1 thousand | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Employment | 1,944.9 thousand | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Unemployment | 62.2 thousand | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Total nonfarm employment | 1,802.3 thousand | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| 12-month nonfarm change | 1.3% | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
Why that matters
For readers tracking Oklahoma employment statistics, the combination of a low unemployment rate and a positive year-over-year payroll gain is more informative than either measure alone. It suggests a state labor market that is still absorbing workers while adding jobs at a measured pace. That is especially useful context for employers trying to hire and for job seekers comparing sectors, metro areas, and long-term labor trends.
Employment by major industry
The state’s employment structure shows a wide spread across goods-producing and service-providing industries. Some sectors are comparatively small, while others carry far more of the payroll load. Together, the figures show where Oklahoma’s employment concentration really sits.
Sector snapshot
| Industry | Employment | 12-month change | Source label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining and logging | 29.3 thousand | -3.6% | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Construction | 88.1 thousand | 2.6% | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Manufacturing | 142.2 thousand | 1.0% | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Trade, transportation, and utilities | 322.2 thousand | 0.9% | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Information | 17.5 thousand | n/a | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Financial activities | 86.8 thousand | n/a | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Professional and business services | 208.8 thousand | n/a | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Education and health services | 279.7 thousand | n/a | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Leisure and hospitality | 183.4 thousand | n/a | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
| Government | 372.8 thousand | n/a | BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance |
What stands out in the sector mix
- Government is the largest listed sector at 372.8 thousand, making it a major anchor in Oklahoma employment statistics (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- Trade, transportation, and utilities is the largest private-sector grouping in the provided data at 322.2 thousand (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- Education and health services is another heavyweight at 279.7 thousand, which underscores the importance of care and education jobs in the state economy (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- Professional and business services at 208.8 thousand points to a meaningful office, administrative, and knowledge-work base (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- Leisure and hospitality at 183.4 thousand shows that consumer-facing jobs remain a major employer category (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
Sector callouts
Government employment is 372.8 thousand in August 2025, the largest figure in the industry list provided here (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance). That makes the public sector a major stabilizer in the state’s employment profile.
Trade, transportation, and utilities employment is 322.2 thousand with a 0.9% 12-month gain (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance). That combination matters because logistics, distribution, retail, and utility work often reflects both local demand and broader supply-chain activity.
Construction employment is 88.1 thousand and rose 2.6% over 12 months (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance). That growth rate is one of the stronger positive changes in the sector list.
Mining and logging employment is 29.3 thousand and down 3.6% over 12 months (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance). Even though the absolute figure is smaller than in some other sectors, the decline is still relevant because it affects parts of the state economy tied to energy and resource extraction.
How Oklahoma compares across workforce measures
Monthly payroll figures tell one part of the story, but broader workforce measures help explain how the labor market behaves over time. Oklahoma’s long-window demographic and income statistics show the context behind hiring, commuting, business formation, and labor force participation.
Workforce context table
| Measure | Figure | Period | Source label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation rate | 60.5% | 2020-2024 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Female labor force participation rate | 56.2% | 2020-2024 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.4 minutes | 2020-2024 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Median household income | $65,039 | 2020-2024 dollars | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Per capita income | $35,624 | 2020-2024 dollars | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | 2020-2024 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
Why these benchmarks matter
The 60.5% labor force participation rate gives a broader sense of how many working-age residents are attached to the labor market over time (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma). That is different from the monthly unemployment rate, which only measures people actively looking for work. Together, they help separate temporary labor market noise from deeper participation patterns.
The 56.2% female labor force participation rate suggests a substantial share of women are active in the labor market, though the state still has room for participation gains depending on childcare, scheduling, wage, and commuting conditions (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
The 22.4-minute mean travel time to work suggests that many workers face a moderate commute, not an extreme one (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma). That matters for employers because commuting patterns can shape labor supply and retention.
Income and poverty figures add another layer. A median household income of $65,039 and per capita income of $35,624 define the purchasing power backdrop for employment decisions, while a 14.9% poverty rate reminds readers that labor-market health is not the same thing as universal household stability (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
A quick interpretation
- Participation is broad, but not universal.
- Commutes are meaningful enough to matter for hiring geography.
- Wage levels and poverty show that employment volume alone does not capture household conditions.
Metropolitan labor markets in Oklahoma
Statewide employment data become more useful when you compare the major metro labor pools. Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, and Cleveland County each tell a slightly different story about labor force size, unemployment, and local momentum.
Metro and county comparison
| Area | Labor force | Employment | Unemployment | Unemployment rate | Source label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City MSA | 774,437 | 750,557 | 23,880 | 3.1% | OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024 |
| Tulsa MSA | 525,350 | 508,002 | 17,348 | 3.3% | OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024 |
| Lawton MSA | 52,433 | 50,540 | 1,893 | 3.6% | OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024 |
| Cleveland County | 162,585 | n/a | n/a | 2.9% | OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024 |
What the metro data shows
Oklahoma City MSA is the largest of the areas listed, with a labor force of 774,437 and employment of 750,557 in 2024 (OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024). Its 3.1% unemployment rate aligns closely with the statewide August 2025 rate in the BLS snapshot, which suggests a similar broad labor-market tightness level.
Tulsa MSA follows with a labor force of 525,350 and employment of 508,002, plus a 3.3% unemployment rate (OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024). That rate is slightly higher than Oklahoma City’s and offers a useful comparison point for readers who want to understand intra-state labor variation.
Lawton MSA is much smaller, with a labor force of 52,433 and unemployment of 1,893 in 2024, translating to a 3.6% unemployment rate (OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024). Even though the labor pool is smaller, the rate is still close enough to the state’s broader pattern to show that labor conditions are fairly consistent across many parts of Oklahoma.
Cleveland County adds a local county-level view with a 2.9% unemployment rate in 2024 (OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024). That figure gives a useful benchmark for readers who want to compare a county labor market against the larger metro and state picture.
Metro takeaways
- The state’s largest labor pool is concentrated in Oklahoma City.
- Tulsa remains a major competing labor market with a slightly higher unemployment rate.
- Smaller labor markets such as Lawton still mirror the general statewide pattern.
- County-level data can show tighter or looser labor conditions than nearby metro averages.
Business base and payroll context
Employment statistics are easier to interpret when you also look at the business base supporting those jobs. Oklahoma’s establishment counts, firm counts, and payroll totals help explain the structure underneath the labor market.
Business and payroll table
| Measure | Figure | Year | Source label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer establishments | 96,402 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Total employment | 1,431,690 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Total annual payroll | $78,579,972 thousand | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Total employment change | 3.0% | 2022 to 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Nonemployer establishments | 327,441 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| All employer firms | 69,555 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Male-owned employer firms | 40,734 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Female-owned employer firms | 14,501 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Minority-owned employer firms | 12,347 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Nonminority-owned employer firms | 50,286 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Veteran-owned employer firms | 3,758 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
| Nonveteran-owned employer firms | 59,357 | 2023 | Census QuickFacts Oklahoma |
Why the business base matters
The 96,402 employer establishments figure shows the breadth of Oklahoma’s business footprint in 2023 (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma). That many establishments help explain how the state supports a large and varied employment base.
The $78,579,972 thousand in total annual payroll is a reminder that employment is not only about headcount, but also about the wage and income flow moving through the state economy (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
The 3.0% total employment increase from 2022 to 2023 is another sign that the underlying labor base was still expanding in the annual data (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
Ownership and firm structure
The firm counts add nuance:
- 40,734 male-owned employer firms versus 14,501 female-owned employer firms show an uneven ownership split in the employer universe (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
- 12,347 minority-owned employer firms and 50,286 nonminority-owned employer firms show the size gap across ownership categories in the available data (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
- 3,758 veteran-owned employer firms and 59,357 nonveteran-owned employer firms provide another ownership lens for business formation and scale (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
What these numbers suggest for employers and workers
Oklahoma employment statistics point to a state labor market with a stable employment base, significant metro concentrations, and enough industry diversity to support multiple career paths. The data also suggests that employers are hiring in a competitive environment where the unemployment rate is relatively low and the workforce is spread across government, trade, education, health care, and construction.
Practical readout
- Employers should pay attention to the tighter labor conditions signaled by the 3.1% unemployment rate (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- Workers can use sector data to identify where job volume is strongest, especially in government, trade, transportation, and utilities, and education and health services (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- Metro comparisons matter because Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Lawton do not have identical labor conditions (OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024).
- Business owners can use establishment and payroll figures to understand where the state’s economic base is broad and where it is concentrated (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
Data points worth remembering
- 2,007.1 thousand people were in Oklahoma’s civilian labor force in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- 1,802.3 thousand total nonfarm jobs were recorded in August 2025 (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- 372.8 thousand government jobs made that sector the largest listed employment category (BLS Oklahoma Economy at a Glance).
- 774,437 people were in the Oklahoma City MSA labor force in 2024 (OESC Oklahoma Labor Force Data 2024).
- 96,402 employer establishments were counted in 2023 (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).
- 60.5% was the state labor force participation rate across 2020-2024 (Census QuickFacts Oklahoma).