Diversity and Jobs in Oklahoma: Best Job Opportunities

Diversity in Business

Oklahoma is the home to many businesses, including those of dozens of Native North American Nations and smaller indigenous groups.

Three of these native-owned companies appear on the list of organizations that have the largest numbers in their employee populations every year. In addition, they hire many non-indigenous people as well as individuals from their own tribal groups.

The service industries benefit from Native North American involvement because dozens of tribal casino resorts bring in sizeable revenues across the state. The related jobs include all that accompany hotels and casinos, as well as event planners and convention personnel. WinStar Resort-Casino of the Chickasaw Nation is near Texas, and it became the largest casino in the world in 2013, having over 519,000 square feet of floor space.

The state is also successful in supporting women-owned and other minority-owned businesses, making Oklahoma a good place to live and work for diverse people.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area and Reservation

Overview of Employment in Oklahoma

From 2009 through June 2013, the number of job listings found in the state doubled to 88,000 vacancies, further increasing through 2016 to over 90,000 vacancies. From January through December 2017, Oklahomans filled many positions, with approximately 40,000 ad listings consistent from December 15 to the end of the year.

Highest Demand Jobs Projected by the State Government Through 2024

1. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
2. IT Engineers: Project Engineers, Project Managers
3. Process Engineers
4. Seismic Engineers
5. Manufacturing Engineers
6. Truck Owner-Operators
7. Truck Driver Trainees
8. Assistant Managers
9. Tire Maintenance Technicians and related jobs
10. Automotive Technicians
11. RNs - Registered Nurses
12. Physical Therapists
13. Patient Services Representatives
14. Medical Assistants and Physician Assistants
15. Salespeople

Top 5 Job Cities in Oklahoma

Fastest Growing Jobs In Oklahoma

The fastest growing occupational titles in Oklahoma, predicted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and state agencies through 2022, include:

1. Personal Care Aides and Home Health Aides: These are predicted to increase by about 70% or more and 18,000 more jobs during the 10 years from 2012 - 2022. Certified home health aides are becoming more and more in demand as the population ages.
2. Veterinary Techs
3. Marriage and Family Therapists
4. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
5. Event Planners
6. Construction Helpers
7. Biochemists and Biophysicists
8. Derrick Operators, Oil, and Gas
9. Respiratory Therapists
10. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
11. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
12. Mental Health Counselors
13. Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
14. Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
15. Veterinarians (increase of over 35% expected)

Largest Consistently Hiring Employers

Interestingly, three Native North American companies are on the list of largest employers in the state, maintaining the largest employee pools and adding new jobs.

1. State of Oklahoma: government jobs.
2. Tinker and Altus Air Force Bases
3. US Army Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill
4. Wal-Mart: Salespeople, managers, and crew.
5. Chesapeake energy
6. The University of Oklahoma, including Medical Center & Healthcare Oklahoma
7. Oklahoma State University
8. Baker Hughes
9. AT&T
10. Integris Health: Over 160 locations
11. Tulsa and Oklahoma City Public Schools
12. Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
13. Chickasaw Enterprises
14. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
15. City of Oklahoma City

101,000 jobs in July 2014; job advertisements doubled from 2009 - 2013 and 2013 - 2014

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Newest High-Demand Jobs Expected to 2024

1. Truck Drivers and Owner-Operators with CDL Class A License
2. Managers and Assistant Managers
3. Maintenance Technicians
4. Occupational Therapists and Assistants
5. Jobs with Native American Businesses

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Oklahoma Native American Business Enterprise Center

Dozens of Native North American groups live, work, and operate businesses in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Native American Business Enterprise Center is an online and offline resource center that connects the larger Cherokee Nation with companies and individuals that want to do business with the City of Tulsa and State of Oklahoma.

Opportunities in Sports and Recreation

Oklahoma also offers a diverse array of sports and recreation opportunities.

College and High School

• Central Oklahoma Broncos
• Northeastern Oklahoma St Redmen
• Oklahoma Sooners
• Oklahoma State Cowboys
• Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
• Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage
• Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs
• Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association

League Sports Teams

• Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL)
• Oklahoma Redhawks (PCBL)
• Tulsa Crude (USHL)
• Tulsa Oilers (CHL)

Professional Teams

• Oklahoma Wranglers (AFL): Oklahoma City

What Are Sooners?

Sooners appeared six months after the Land Run of 1889 when settlers entered the Oklahoma District before the federal government opened it to them. The Sooner Schooner, a wagon train wagon, is the mascot of the sports team named for them.

Higher Education in Oklahoma

• Bacone College: Muskogee
• Cameron University: Lawton
• Carl Albert State College: Poteau, Oklahoma
• Connors State College: Warner
• East Central University: Ada
• Eastern Oklahoma State College: Wilburton
• Langston University: Langston
• Mid-America Christian University: Oklahoma City
• Murray State College: Tishomingo, Oklahoma
• Northeastern Oklahoma A and M College: Miami, OK
• Northeastern State University: Tahlequah
• Northern Oklahoma College: Tonkawa
• Northwestern Oklahoma State University: Alva
• Oklahoma Baptist University: Shawnee
• Oklahoma Christian University: Oklahoma City, Edmond
• Oklahoma City Community College: Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma City University: Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma Panhandle State University: Goodwell
• Oklahoma State University HQ: Stillwater

• Oklahoma State University: Okmulgee
• Oklahoma State University: Tulsa
• Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences: Tulsa
• Oklahoma State University: Oklahoma City

• Oklahoma Wesleyan University: Bartlesville
• Oral Roberts University: Tulsa
• Phillips Theological Seminary: Tulsa
• Redlands Community College: El Reno
• Rogers State University: Claremore
• Rose State College: Midwest City
• Seminole State College: Seminole, Oklahoma
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University: Durant
• Southern Nazarene University: Bethany, Oklahoma
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University: Sayre and Weatherford
• Spartan School of Aeronautics: Tulsa
• St. Gregory's University: Shawnee
• Tulsa Community College: Tulsa, Oklahoma
• University of Central Oklahoma: Edmond
• University of Oklahoma HQ: Norman. University of Oklahoma: Tulsa; University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: Oklahoma City
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma: Chickasha
• University of Tulsa: Tulsa
• Wayland Baptist University: Altus
• Western Oklahoma State College: Altus

Sources

• Oklahoma Business News. newsok.com/business Retrieved December 17,2017.
• Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce reports 2013- 2017. www.okstatechamber.com/ Retrieved December 15, 2017.
• Oklahoma state employment projections through 2022 and 2024.
• Oklahoma employment ads on Simplyhired.com and Indeed.com from 2013,2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
• US Census and Labor Bureau reports.bls.gov/eag/eag.ok.htm Retrieved March 18, 2016; December19, 2017.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2007 Patty Inglish MS