Find a Job You Really Want In
Are you gearing up for a job search in 2026? It’s essential to understand the current job market landscape in your area. Job markets can vary significantly within the same state, making the job search experience vastly different from one city to another.
At Zippia, we analyze labor market data to help you navigate your job search effectively. This year, we’re highlighting the top cities in Oklahoma where job opportunities are thriving.
Here are the ten hottest job markets in Oklahoma for 2026.
The 10 Hottest Job Markets In Oklahoma
These ten cities represent the best job markets in Oklahoma for 2026. If your city isn’t listed in the top 10, don’t worry—scroll down to find its ranking on the complete list.
How we determined the best job markets in Oklahoma
For our analysis, we utilized the latest data from the Census American Community Survey to evaluate the major metro areas in Oklahoma. We focused on cities with a working civilian population exceeding 5,000.
While unemployment rates provide insight into local job conditions, they represent just one aspect of a complex job market. To create a comprehensive ranking, we examined various factors impacting employment opportunities.
Each metro area was ranked from 1 to 42 across four key categories:
- Unemployment Rate
- Change in Unemployment Rate
- Household Income Change
- Current Average Household Income
In this ranking system, lower scores indicate better performance. For instance, the Sapulpa area had an impressive unemployment rate of 2.1%, securing its position as the top contender in that category. We averaged the scores across all four categories to formulate our final rankings for the 42 metro areas, where a lower score signifies a stronger job market.
1. Jenks
Unemployment Rate: 3.45%
Average Income: $111,476
2. Edmond
Unemployment Rate: 3.34%
Average Income: $116,608
3. Glenpool
Unemployment Rate: 3.68%
Average Income: $84,706
4. Owasso
Unemployment Rate: 3.76%
Average Income: $82,750
5. Choctaw
Unemployment Rate: 3.56%
Average Income: $90,158
6. Yukon
Unemployment Rate: 4.83%
Average Income: $85,748
7. Moore
Unemployment Rate: 4.18%
Average Income: $73,997
8. Broken Arrow
Unemployment Rate: 4.39%
Average Income: $89,099
9. Oklahoma
Unemployment Rate: 4.83%
Average Income: $75,485
10. Mustang
Unemployment Rate: 4.36%
Average Income: $81,569
Measuring the Best Job Markets in Oklahoma
You may be thinking, ‘I live in Sapulpa and have been struggling to find work—this can’t be accurate!’ That’s a valid concern.
While Sapulpa ranks as one of the top job markets in Oklahoma, individual circumstances such as education, work experience, and industry can significantly influence job availability. Nevertheless, job seekers in Sapulpa generally have an easier time finding employment compared to those in lower-ranked cities.
Detailed List of the Hottest Job Markets in Oklahoma
| Rank | Place | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jenks | 3.45% |
| 2 | Edmond | 3.34% |
| 3 | Glenpool | 3.68% |
| 4 | Owasso | 3.76% |
| 5 | Choctaw | 3.56% |
| 6 | Yukon | 4.83% |
| 7 | Moore | 4.18% |
| 8 | Broken Arrow | 4.39% |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 4.83% |
| 10 | Mustang | 4.36% |
| 11 | Sapulpa | 2.08% |
| 12 | Chickasha | 3.73% |
| 13 | Bartlesville | 5.31% |
| 14 | Norman | 4.46% |
| 15 | Bixby | 2.76% |
| 16 | Sand Springs | 4.39% |
| 17 | The Village | 5.82% |
| 18 | Lawton | 7.82% |
| 19 | Ada | 5.09% |
| 20 | Stillwater | 5.3% |
| 21 | Elk | 4.89% |
| 22 | El Reno | 8.73% |
| 23 | Guymon | 3.23% |
| 24 | Newcastle | 2.44% |
| 25 | Durant | 5.1% |
| 26 | Tulsa | 6.3% |
| 27 | Miami | 6.29% |
| 28 | Ponca | 6.99% |
| 29 | Altus | 5.65% |
| 30 | Bethany | 5.47% |
| 31 | Enid | 5.29% |
| 32 | Midwest | 5.3% |
| 33 | Weatherford | 3.75% |
| 34 | Claremore | 6.47% |
| 35 | Woodward | 5.13% |
| 36 | Muskogee | 6.66% |
| 37 | Mcalester | 6.03% |
| 38 | Tahlequah | 7.56% |
| 39 | Del | 5.61% |
| 40 | Duncan | 6.53% |
| 41 | Ardmore | 6.24% |
| 42 | Shawnee | 6.78% |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
