Financial Analyst in Tulsa, OK

The Salary Picture: Where Tulsa Stands

Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re a Financial Analyst looking at Tulsa, the numbers tell a clear story: you get paid very well here, especially when you factor in the cost of living. The median salary for a Financial Analyst in Tulsa is $95,891/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.1/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $99,010/year, but that comparison is misleading without context. Tulsa's cost of living is only 89.5 (US avg = 100), meaning your dollar goes significantly further. In real terms, a Tulsa Financial Analyst often has more purchasing power than their peer in a coastal city earning the national average.

Experience is the biggest driver of your paycheck. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect at different career stages:

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Tulsa Salary Range (Annual)	Key Responsibilities & Notes
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$70,000 - $85,000	Data aggregation, basic reporting, supporting senior analysts. Often starts in commercial banking or corporate finance at a local firm.
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$85,000 - $110,000	Building financial models, leading budgeting cycles, presenting to management. The median of $95,891 sits squarely here.
Senior Analyst	8-12 years	$110,000 - $135,000	Strategic planning, M&A support, managing junior analysts, complex forecasting. Common in energy (especially midstream) and healthcare.
Expert/Manager	12+ years	$135,000 - $165,000+	Director-level roles, leading finance departments, investor relations. Top earners are often in specialized fields like aviation finance or private equity.

How does Tulsa stack up against other Oklahoma cities? It’s the clear leader for professional finance roles.

City	Median Salary (Financial Analyst)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Employer Presence
Tulsa	$95,891	89.5	Energy, Aviation, Healthcare, Banking
Oklahoma City	$92,100	91.0	State government, Energy, Insurance
Norman	$88,450	90.5	University, Defense (Tinker AFB)
Lawton	$81,200	84.0	Military, Regional Banking

Tulsa’s advantage is its diversified economy. While OKC leans on government, Tulsa’s private sector is robust. The metro area has 821 Financial Analyst jobs, a solid base for a city of its size. Over the next decade, the field is expected to grow by 9%, which is steady, not explosive, but consistent.

Insider Tip: The salary bands above are for corporate roles. If you can land a role in investment management (e.g., at a Tulsa-based fund or a regional office of a larger firm), you can often command a 10-15% premium. Look for firms downtown or in the southern Hills.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The headline number is $95,891, but what does that mean for your monthly life in Tulsa? Let’s break it down for a single filer with no dependents (using standard deduction and 2024 tax brackets for illustration).

• Annual Gross Salary: $95,891
• Federal Income Tax (Est.): ~$14,200
• FICA (7.65%): ~$7,335
• OK State Income Tax (4.75% top bracket): ~$4,555
• Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay: $69,801
• Monthly Take-Home Pay: $5,817

Now, let’s look at a monthly budget. We’ll use the city-wide average for a one-bedroom apartment, which is $900/month. This is a realistic figure, though it varies by neighborhood (see below).

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (Est.)	Notes for a Tulsa Financial Analyst
Rent (1BR Avg)	$900	A key advantage. You can find a nice 1BR in a safe, walkable neighborhood for this price.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water, Internet)	$200	Tulsa Energy rates are moderate; internet is competitive.
Car Payment & Insurance	$450	Crucial: Tulsa is a car-dependent city. Public transit is limited.
Groceries	$400	Cost is below national average. Great local markets (Mother Road, Farmers Market).
Health Insurance (Employer-Sponsored)	$300	Varies widely, but a typical employee contribution.
Entertainment/Dining Out	$400	Tulsa has a vibrant food scene; you can live well without overspending.
Savings/Investments	$1,000+	The key benefit. After all essentials, you have $2,167 left. This allows for aggressive savings, a down payment, or lifestyle.
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,650
Monthly Disposable Income	$2,167	Can you afford a home? Absolutely.

With $2,167 in monthly disposable income after all necessary expenses, a Tulsa Financial Analyst at the median salary is in a strong position. The median home price in the Tulsa Metro is approximately $240,000. With a 10% down payment ($24,000), a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would likely be under $1,600, which is well within your budget. The path to homeownership is very viable here, often within 3-5 years of saving.

Where the Jobs Are: Tulsa's Major Employers

Tulsa’s job market for Financial Analysts isn’t dominated by a single industry, which is a major strength. It’s diversified. Here are the primary sectors and specific employers you should target.

1. Energy (Midstream & Exploration): This is Tulsa’s historical backbone. Companies here are often focused on the midstream (pipelines, storage) and services side.

   • Williams Companies (Midstream): A Fortune 500 headquartered in Tulsa. They have a massive finance department. Roles here are fast-paced, with a focus on capital project finance and regulatory reporting.
   • ONEOK (Midstream): Another Tulsa-based giant. Similar profile to Williams; strong demand for analysts who understand energy commodity markets.
   • Hiring Trend: Steady. While oil prices fluctuate, midstream is often more stable. They value analysts with strong modeling skills and an understanding of the industry.

2. Aviation & Aerospace: Home to a FAA-designated maintenance center of excellence.

   • American Airlines (Maintenance Hub): Their massive hangar facility at Tulsa International Airport (TUL) requires a significant finance team for operational budgeting, inventory costing, and capital expenditure planning.
   • Spirit AeroSystems: A major aerospace manufacturer. Their finance roles involve cost accounting, program finance, and supply chain analysis.
   • Hiring Trend: Robust. The industry is growing, and these are stable, long-term employers.

3. Healthcare: A massive and growing sector.

   • Saint Francis Health System: One of the largest employers in Oklahoma. Their finance department is large, dealing with hospital budgeting, reimbursement analysis, and system-wide strategic planning.
   • Ascension St. John (now part of Ardent Health Services): Another major system. Similar needs, with a focus on clinical cost analysis.
   • Hiring Trend: Very strong. Healthcare is a recession-resistant industry, and Tulsa’s aging population ensures continued demand for financial management.

4. Banking & Financial Services: Local and regional players.

   • BOK Financial: A large regional bank headquartered in Tulsa. They have extensive corporate finance, commercial lending, and internal audit teams.
   • Bank of Oklahoma (BOK): Same parent as BOK Financial; similar opportunities.
   • Hiring Trend: Consistent. These banks are deeply tied to the local economy, so their hiring cycles often reflect regional business health.

5. Corporate Headquarters & Retail: Tulsa is home to several national brands.

   • Lowe’s (Store Support Center): Their large facility near the airport handles accounting, financial planning, and analysis for their store network.
   • Hiring Trend: Solid. Corporate support centers offer diverse finance roles beyond the core industry.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look for the title “Financial Analyst.” In Tulsa, you’ll also find “Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst,” “Budget Analyst,” and “Cost Analyst.” Use these terms in your job searches on LinkedIn, Indeed, and local job boards like the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s “Tulsa Jobs” portal.

Getting Licensed in OK

For most Financial Analyst roles in Tulsa, you do not need a state-issued license to perform your job. The role typically falls under the umbrella of an analytical position within a corporation, bank, or other institution.

However, if you aspire to certain advanced roles, you may need specific professional certifications. These are national, not state-specific, but they are highly valued by local employers:

• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): The gold standard for investment analysis and portfolio management. Required for roles in asset management or equity research. The exam is administered by the CFA Institute.
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant): Essential if you’re moving into corporate accounting, internal audit, or financial reporting. You must take the Oklahoma CPA exam and meet the state’s education (150 hours) and experience requirements through the Oklahoma Accountancy Board. The exam fee is roughly $1,000-$1,500, and review courses can cost $2,000+.
• FMVA (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst): Offered by the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), this is increasingly popular for hands-on modeling roles, especially in energy and corporate finance.

Timeline: You can apply for most Financial Analyst jobs without a CFA or CPA. However, if you’re looking to advance to a senior or director level, starting the CFA (3-level exam, typically takes 3-4 years) or CPA (18-24 month process) is a strategic move. You can start studying while working.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Where you live in Tulsa dramatically impacts your commute and lifestyle. Most commercial and corporate jobs are concentrated in Midtown, South Tulsa, and near the airport.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Typical 1BR Rent	Why It's a Good Fit
Midtown (Cherry St., Brookside)	Historic, walkable, trendy. 10-15 min commute to most downtown/midtown offices.	$950 - $1,150	The heart of Tulsa’s social scene. Great restaurants, parks (Guthrie Green), and older, character-filled apartments. Ideal for those who want a vibrant, urban feel.
South Tulsa (Jenks, Bixby)	Suburban, family-friendly, newer. 15-25 min commute to downtown, 10-20 to corporate offices in S. Tulsa.	$900 - $1,200	Excellent schools, newer apartment complexes, and easy access to shopping centers. A top choice for analysts working for companies like Williams or ONEOK (which are in S. Tulsa).
Brookside / Riverside	Similar to Midtown but with more green space along the Arkansas River. 10-15 min commute.	$900 - $1,100	Great for outdoor enthusiasts (river parks running trails). Slightly quieter than the heart of Midtown but still very walkable and lively.
Downtown	Urban core, business-focused. Walkable to some offices, but a short drive to others.	$1,000 - $1,400	Best for those who work in the CBD (Bank of Oklahoma Tower, etc.). Modern high-rise apartments, but fewer grocery stores and more reliant on the car for other errands.
Tulsa Hills / Southwest	Master-planned, suburban. 20-30 min commute to downtown, but only 10-15 to the airport.	$850 - $1,000	Very affordable, with plenty of chain and local dining. A solid choice for analysts at the airport or at Lowe’s (which is in this corridor).

Insider Tip: Traffic in Tulsa is light compared to other metros, but it’s growing. A 20-minute commute is the norm for most. If you work for an airline or aerospace firm at TUL, living in Tulsa Hills or Southwest can cut your commute to under 15 minutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Tulsa offers a clear, structured path for advancement if you’re proactive.

• Specialty Premiums: As mentioned, roles in energy finance (commodity trading, midstream capital projects) and aviation finance (program cost accounting) can pay a 10-20% premium over general corporate FP&A. These are the most lucrative specialties in the local market.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Analyst > Senior Analyst > Finance Manager > Director of Finance > VP/CFO. In larger Tulsa companies like Williams or ONEOK, you can climb this ladder entirely within the company. In healthcare, the path often requires moving between systems (e.g., Saint Francis to Ascension) to gain broader experience.
• Networking: This is critical in Tulsa’s tight-knit business community. Join the Tulsa Finance Club (active on LinkedIn) and attend events hosted by the Tulsa Chamber’s Young Professionals group. Many senior analysts and finance managers in the city know each other.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 9% job growth is promising. However, automation and AI will change the role. The analysts who will thrive are those who move beyond data entry and reporting to become strategic partners—interpreting data, providing actionable insights, and influencing business decisions. Tulsa’s employers are increasingly looking for analysts who can tell a story with numbers.

The Verdict: Is Tulsa Right for You?

Here’s the final breakdown to help you decide.

Pros	Cons
Exceptional purchasing power. Your salary stretches further here than almost anywhere else in the U.S.	Car-dependency. You need a reliable car. Public transport is not a viable primary option.
Diverse, stable job market. Not reliant on a single industry. Good mix of Fortune 500s and mid-sized firms.	Limited high-end luxury & nightlife. While the food scene is excellent and growing, it’s not NYC or Chicago.
Manageable commute & traffic. A 15-20 minute drive is the norm for most.	Winters are cold and gray. Not a deal-breaker, but a notable change from warmer climates.
Strong sense of community. Easy to get involved, network, and build relationships.	Lower ceiling for top-tier roles. While you can have a very successful career, the absolute top-end salaries in finance are still in NYC, Chicago, or Houston.
Homeownership is achievable. On a median salary, buying a home is a realistic, short-to-medium-term goal.	Limited public transit. As mentioned, this is a key lifestyle consideration.

Final Recommendation: If you are a Financial Analyst (especially mid-career, 3-10 years experience) looking to maximize your quality of life and financial well-being, Tulsa is one of the best cities in the country to consider. The combination of a strong median salary ($95,891), low cost of living, and a stable, diversified job market is hard to beat. It’s an especially smart move if you’re in energy, aviation, or healthcare finance. If you’re a new graduate, it’s a great place to start your career without drowning in debt. If you’re a top-tier expert targeting VP roles at a major hedge fund, you may look elsewhere. For everyone in between, Tulsa offers a compelling, data-driven case.

FAQs

Q: Is $95,891 a good salary for a Financial Analyst in Tulsa?
A: Yes, it’s the median salary and represents a very strong, comfortable income for the city. Given the median 1BR rent of $900/month and a cost of living index of 89.5, this salary provides significant disposable income for savings, travel, and homeownership.

Q: Do I need to know someone to get a finance job in Tulsa?
A: It helps, but it's not a strict requirement. Tulsa’s business community is relationship-driven, so networking is highly effective. However, a strong resume with solid modeling skills and relevant experience will get you interviews. LinkedIn is a powerful tool here.

Q: How competitive is the job market with 821 openings?
A: It’s competitive but not cutthroat. The 821 openings provide a healthy number of opportunities. The key is to tailor your application to the specific industry (e.g., energy vs. healthcare) and use local job boards. The growth rate of 9% indicates a stable, growing demand for your skills.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake Financial Analysts make when moving to Tulsa?
A: Underestimating the need for a car and overestimating the public transit.