Careers, Jobs and Education Resources for: Oklahoma

Oklahoma Fast Facts:

Location, Location, Location…:  Located in the south central region of the United States, Oklahoma is in a region especially prone to sever weather. With a land area of 68,667 square miles, Oklahoma is the 20th largest state.

Cities:  The capital and largest city is Oklahoma City, while Tulsa is also a key economic center

Behind the Name:  Oklahoma is nicknamed the “Sooner State.”

A Closer Look:  More than 25 Native American languages are spoken in Oklahoma, the most of any state. Oklahoma was formed by a combination of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory on November 16, 1907, becoming the 46th state to enter the union.

Did You Know?  Oklahoma is the only state in the nation that shares its name with its capital city.

Oklahoma Careers and Employment:

Population:  3,642,361 (5.6% increase since 2000) - 50.6% Female, 49.4% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).

Business Environment:  Ranked 26^th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.

Top Industries:  In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) health care and social assistance; (2) retail trade; (3) manufacturing; (4) accommodation and food services; and (5) administrative and support and waste management and remediation services.

Taxes:  Income Tax, 0.5% to 5.5% and Sales Tax, 4.5% (Federation of Tax Administrators).

Cost of Living:  88.4 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).

Quality of Life:  Ranked 37^th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.

Weather:  Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 36.11; Apr: 59.07; July: 81.62; Oct: 61.30 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

K-12:  Ranked 42^nd of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.

Oklahoma Economics:

In General:  The major components of Oklahoma's economy include mining, manufacturing, service and tourism. As in most states Oklahoma’s workforce is predominantly employed in the service industry, but there are also many jobs available in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and military and government services.

Service Industry:  In the services industry, leading businesses include private health care, equipment rental companies (oil field equipment, rental cars), telemarketing firms (telephone reservation systems) and repair shops.

Agriculture:  The state is also a leading supplier of beef across the nation, with beef cattle serving as the leading source of agricultural income in Oklahoma.

Manufacturing:  Production of machinery, particularly oil field machinery, construction machinery and refrigeration and heating equipment, leads the manufacturing industry in Oklahoma.

Mining:  Oklahoma’s most important mined products are petroleum and natural gas, as the state ranks among the leading producers in the nation in both categories.

Did You Know?  A grain of truth:  Oklahoma is one of the leading wheat producers in the country.

Oklahoma Education:  

Find Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma, here.

Sources:  In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include:  the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.