๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 91 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Oklahoma City, OK

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$67,883
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$74,597
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$153,364
1BR Rent
$884
median monthly

Here's the thing about Oklahoma City that the data doesn't always lead with: it's a city where a software developer can afford a comfortable life on a salary that would feel tight in Austin or Denver. With a cost of living index of 91, you're getting about 9% more purchasing power than the average American city. That $123,823 salary for a software developer? It adjusts to a purchasing power equivalent of $136,069 nationally. Thatโ€™s real money in your pocket.

The math is compelling. A one-bedroom apartment runs you $884 a month. The median household income is $67,015, but the average salary across all roles is $67,883, which adjusts to $74,597 in national purchasing power. Itโ€™s not a boomtown price tag, but itโ€™s not a sleepy bargain bin either. You can build savings here, especially if youโ€™re in tech, healthcare, or the construction management thatโ€™s booming around new corporate campuses. Tinker Air Force Base and the FAAโ€™s Mike Mononey Air Traffic Control Center are massive employers, and the healthcare sector is anchored by giants like OU Health.

My honest take? Wages aren't keeping pace with the city's rapid growth. The 3.3% unemployment rate means employers are competing for talent, but that hasn't fully translated into the kind of wage leaps you see on the coasts. It works beautifully for a dual-income household or a single professional in a high-demand field. Itโ€™s tougher if youโ€™re in an industry with flatter pay scales. The data below breaks down exactly who is earning top dollar and what your paycheck could look like after the rent check clears.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Oklahoma City

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$153,364
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $168,532
โฑ Hourly $73.73/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 1K
๐Ÿฅˆ -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$132,357
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $145,447
โฑ Hourly $63.63/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 1K
๐Ÿฅ‰ -3% vs national

Software Developer

$123,823
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $136,069
โฑ Hourly $59.53/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 4K
4๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,288
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $115,701
โฑ Hourly $50.62/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 1K
5๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$98,545
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $108,291
โฑ Hourly $47.38/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 1K

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Oklahoma City

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (91/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $153,364
2 Pharmacist $132,357
3 Software Developer $123,823
4 Construction Manager $105,288
5 Project Manager $98,545
6 Physical Therapist $97,017
7 Financial Analyst $96,336
8 Web Developer $90,245
9 Dental Hygienist $85,166
10 Accountant $83,755
11 Registered Nurse $83,746
12 Data Analyst $81,109
13 Insurance Agent $77,781
14 Loan Officer $74,142
15 Police Officer $72,887
16 Human Resources Specialist $65,823
17 Elementary School Teacher $61,950
18 Plumber $61,639
19 Paralegal $61,055
20 Electrician $59,888
21 Real Estate Agent $59,820
22 Graphic Designer $59,683
23 Social Worker $59,216
24 Chef/Head Cook $58,720
25 Firefighter $55,577
26 Carpenter $55,383
27 HVAC Technician $54,166
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $53,145
29 Heavy Truck Driver $51,656
30 Welder $48,251
31 Auto Mechanic $47,015
32 Personal Trainer $45,419
33 Dental Assistant $43,609
34 Veterinary Technician $41,586
35 Pharmacy Technician $39,211
36 Cosmetologist $37,334
37 Medical Assistant $37,236
38 Security Guard $35,164
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,794
40 Nail Technician $32,449

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Oklahoma City

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$884/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,091/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$269,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.3%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$67,015
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
37%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
65/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
91
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Oklahoma City?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Oklahoma City. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Oklahoma City Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Oklahoma City, OK?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Oklahoma City is $67,883. This is slightly above the median household income of $67,015. Insight: The city's cost of living index is 91.0, meaning your salary goes 9% further than the national average.

What jobs pay the most in Oklahoma City?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Oklahoma City is Marketing Manager at $153,364. This role pays more than double the city's average salary of $67,883. Insight: This high salary is especially valuable given the city's low cost of living index of 91.0.

Is Oklahoma City affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $153,364 is highly affordable in Oklahoma City. With a 1BR rent of $884/month, housing costs are only about 7% of the gross monthly income. Insight: The city's cost of living index of 91.0 means your high salary has even more purchasing power.

How does Oklahoma City's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Oklahoma City's cost of living index is 91.0, meaning your paycheck has about 9% more purchasing power than the national average. For example, the average salary of $67,883 effectively feels like $75,352 nationally. Insight: This is driven by affordable housing, with 1BR rent at just $884/month.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Oklahoma City?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a single person likely needs a salary around $50,000 to $60,000, based on the low 1BR rent of $884/month. This is below the city's average salary of $67,883 and median household income of $67,015. Insight: The cost of living index of 91.0 makes a comfortable lifestyle more attainable here than in many other cities.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Oklahoma City Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Oklahoma City is a solid financial bet in 2026, especially if youโ€™re chasing value. With a COL index of 91.0 and rent averaging $884, your paycheck stretches further than on the coasts. The average salary of $67,883 feels livable here, and if youโ€™re in marketingโ€”hitting $153k+โ€”youโ€™re in the sweet spot, especially with the COL-adjusted figure pushing $168k.

Who wins here? Tech workers get decent salaries without the Silicon Valley stress, healthcare pros find steady demand, and tradespeople are in high demand with lower competition. But if youโ€™re in a low-paying field, the math gets tougher.

My advice? Donโ€™t move here just for the moneyโ€”come for the lifestyle. OKC is growing, but itโ€™s still a midsize city. If you value space, affordability, and a slower pace, itโ€™s worth it. If you need big-city energy or industry dominance, look elsewhere.

Explore Oklahoma City Further