Greater OKC Region Aerospace and Aviation - 2025
I. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY .........................................................................................................1
II. OKC REGION AEROSPACE INDUSTRY PROFILE .....................................................................................5
III. OKC REGION AEROSPACE EMPLOYERS & WORKFORCE .................................................................... 12
IV. AEROSPACE EMPLOYMENT & OCCUPATION PROFILE ...................................................................... 27
V. STATE-LEVEL AEROSPACE MARKETS ................................................................................................. 32
VI. AEROSPACE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY .............................................................................. 46
VII. FEDERAL PROCUREMENT IN OKLAHOMA AEROSPACE ..................................................................... 52
VIII. ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AEROSPACE................................................................................................. 60
IX. APPENDIX: RESEARCH FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................ 64
RegionTrack, Inc. (regiontrack.com) is an Oklahoma City-based economic research firm specializing in regional economic forecasting and analysis. Principal authors of the report are RegionTrack economists Mark C. Snead, Ph.D. and Amy A. Jones, M.A.
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace and Aviation - 2025
Figure 1. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Sector .........................................................................................1 Figure 2. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry by Major Sector (2025) ...............................................5 Figure 3. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry Detailed Profile (2025) ................................................6 Figure 4. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Sector Growth – 2015 to 2025 ...................................................9 Figure 5. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry Profile by County (2025)...........................................11 Figure 6. 25 Largest Greater OKC Region Aerospace Employers ..............................................................12 Figure 7. Air Force Permanent Civilian Jobs by Occupation & High Demand – Oklahoma ......................18 Figure 8. FAA Permanent Federal Civilian Jobs – Oklahoma.....................................................................23 Figure 9. Rankings of State Aerospace Industry Employment by Key Occupation (2024) ........................27 Figure 10. Annual Earnings by Aerospace-Related Occupation by State (2024)........................................28 Figure 11. Labor Force Key Aerospace Sector Occupations – Greater OKC Region .................................30 Figure 11. (Cont.) Labor Force in Key Aerospace Occupations – Greater OKC Region............................31 Figure 12. U.S. & Oklahoma Private Aerospace Sector (1990-2024) .........................................................33 Figure 13. Oklahoma Private Aerospace Detailed Sectors (1990-2024) .....................................................35 Figure 14. Core Private Aerospace Industry Sectors by State (2024)..........................................................37 Figure 15. State Rankings of Private Aerospace Industry Activity (2024)..................................................39 Figure 16. Public Sector Aerospace Employment by State (FY2024).........................................................41 Figure 17. Core Private and Public Sector Aerospace Employment (2024)................................................44 Figure 18. Oklahoma Engineer Workforce Tax Credit................................................................................47 Figure 19. Federal Procurement in Oklahoma by Major Department (FY2024).........................................53 Figure 20. Oklahoma Procurement from Key Aerospace-Related Agencies ..............................................54 Figure 21. Federal Procurement for Key Aerospace-Related Agencies by State (FY2024) .......................56 Figure 22. Oklahoma Aerospace-Specific Federal Procurement (FY2024) ................................................57 Figure 23. Aerospace Federal Procurement by County and Major City (FY2024) .....................................58 Figure 24. Largest Air Force/FAA/NASA Vendors in the 10-County Greater OKC Region (FY2024) ....59 Figure 25. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry Economic Impacts (2025)........................................61 Figure 26. Estimated State & Local Tax Revenue - Aerospace Sector (2025)............................................63 Figure A1. Aerospace Industry Classifications - Greater OKC Region ......................................................66
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
I. Introduction and Summary The Next Chapter in Aerospace in Oklahoma City
The aerospace industry in the Greater Oklahoma City (OKC) region has entered a new era of expansion and diversification. Building on a decades-long foundation in defense aviation, the industry now supports a broad mix of public and private sector aerospace activity that spans maintenance, logistics, engineering, training, and manufacturing. While Tinker Air Force Base and the FAA's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center remain the core federal institutions, the regional private aerospace sector has grown steadily, particularly in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), aerospace engineering, and unmanned aerial systems. This 2025 report provides a comprehensive assessment of the current size and structure of the Greater OKC aerospace sector, continuing a research series conducted approximately every five years. As in previous editions, the study provides a consistent and comparable dataset that enables benchmarking over time. The report supports policymakers, economic development professionals, educators, and business leaders by documenting the current footprint of the industry, recent growth trends, workforce and occupational patterns, state and national standing, and the sector's broader economic contributions to the regional economy. Purpose and Methodology
Figure 1. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Sector AEROSPACE INDUSTRY PROFILE (2025)
This study is designed to deliver an accurate and current profile of the Greater OKC aerospace sector and its economic impact. The research methodology follows the same core approach used in previous reports to ensure consistency across years. Firms directly and substantially engaged in the provision of aerospace-related goods and services were identified and classified using a range of data sources supplemented with direct contact with employers and consultation with industry experts. Aerospace Industry Profile and Structure (2025) The aerospace industry remains a key economic driver in the regional economy. In
338 establish- ments
45,539 workers
$8.8 bil. output
$4.0 bil. labor income
$87,000 average wage
Industry structure: Public Sector: 33,568 workers Tinker AFB: 26,960; FAA: 5,102 Private Sector: 11,971 workers in MRO, engineering, logistics, air transportation manufacturing, and training.
2025, the Greater OKC aerospace sector comprises 338 establishments employing 45,539 workers. These firms and institutions generate $8.8 billion in output and $4.0 billion in labor income, with average annual wages nearing $87,000.
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
The industry encompasses: • Public Sector: 33,568 workers, led by Tinker AFB (26,960) and the FAA Center (5,102) • Private Sector: 11,971 workers in MRO, engineering and consulting, air transportation, logistics, manufacturing, and training Two federal installations – Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) and the FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) – anchor the region’s aerospace footprint. These two facilities account for more than 70% of aerospace employment and output in 2025. Oklahoma ranks #1 nationally in civilian Air Force employment and #4 in FAA personnel . The private sector comprises a balanced mix of subsectors including: • Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) : 4,920 jobs, $2.1B output • Engineering, Consulting, Logistics : 3,580 jobs, $771M output • Air Transportation : Nearly 2,000 jobs across passenger, cargo, and ground services • Manufacturing : Over 1,200 jobs in aircraft parts and unmanned systems • Education/Training and Specialized Services : 330 workers in training, workforce development, and niche services 10-County Regional Distribution Oklahoma County is home to 60% of regional aerospace establishments and 97% of jobs and output. The remaining nine counties contribute about 1,200 jobs, concentrated in general aviation services, manufacturing, and flight training. Overall, aerospace represents 6.1% of wage and salary employment in the region. Growth Trends: 2015 – 2025 Over the past 10 years, the aerospace sector has expanded significantly: • +102 establishments (+43%) • +8,928 jobs (+24%) • +$3.88 billion in output (+79%) • +$1.29 billion in labor income (+48%) Between 2020 and 2025, the region ’s aerospace sector added: • +47 establishments (+16%) • +2,169 jobs (+5%) • +$1.54 billion in output (+21%) • +$543 million in labor income (+16%)
2
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
From 2020 to 2025, the private sector accounted for the majority of growth in the region’s aerospace industry. Private aerospace firms added 49 new establishments and created 1,155 new jobs during the period. Output among private firms rose by 36%, driving a 28% increase in labor income. Employment and Occupational Profile The aerospace workforce includes federal civilian and military personnel, contract workers, and private- sector employees. Public-sector workers make up 74% of the total. Tinker AFB supports occupations in aircraft maintenance, logistics, engineering, and information technology, while the FAA Center houses roles in training, aviation safety, and systems engineering. White-collar aerospace jobs in the region are concentrated in engineering (2,507 workers), IT (715), and mathematics/statistics (542). Trade and craft occupations remain strong, with high demand projected in metal work, overhaul, and electronics maintenance . More than 2,900 high-demand job openings are forecast at Tinker AFB over fiscal years 2025 and 2026. The aerospace industry also offers some of the region’s most competitive wages, with average annual earnings approaching $87,000, well above the regional average. This underscores the high skill level and economic value of aerospace employment. Labor income increased 48% from 2015 to 2025 – significantly outpacing overall employment growth (+24%), indicating rising wages and productivity over time. When combined with Oklahoma’s low cost of living – among the lowest in the nation – aerospace workers in the Greater OKC region enjoy exceptional real wage advantages and household purchasing power . This combination supports talent attraction and retention, particularly in high-skill occupations like engineering, IT, and advanced trades. State-Level Aerospace Markets E mployment in Oklahoma’s private aerospace sector totaled nearly 19,500 wage and salary workers in 2024, ranking the state 21 st among its peers. Oklahoma’s is often underestimated in national rankings that overlook public-sector employment, despite the state's uniquely large federal aerospace workforce. When combining public and private employment, Oklahoma employed over 50,600 aerospace workers in 2024, ranking 12th nationally. Oklahoma rises from the 21 st largest market when measured by private sector employment to 12 th largest when public sector workers are added to the private sector labor pool. The state ranks 1st in permanent civilian Air Force employment and 4th in FAA civilian personnel. Aerospace Economic Development Policy Oklahoma supports aerospace growth through targeted initiatives, including: • Engineer Workforce Tax Credit : Encourages hiring of in-state engineering talent • Software/Cybersecurity Employee Tax Credit : Encourages growth in software development and cybersecurity jobs • STEM and career training programs through universities and CareerTech The state continues to invest in infrastructure at airports and military installations and promote partnerships across education and industry to sustain a long-term workforce pipeline.
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Federal Procurement Activity Federal contracting is a key component of the regional aerospace economy: • Tinker AFB: $3.6 billion in 2025 output, supporting defense sustainment and logistics • FAA MMAC: $1.2 billion budget in FY2024, including the FAA Academy, Logistics Center, and Aviation Medical Institute • Top Contractors: Boeing, Northrop Grumman, AAR, CACI, and Field Aerospace Oklahoma’s combined $3.0 billion in contracting for the Air Force, FAA, and NASA ranks the state 14 th in fiscal year 2024. More than 90% of aerospace-related federal procurement in Oklahoma is concentrated in the Greater OKC area. Approximately 72% of the aerospace contracts issued in the 10-county region are traced to vendors located in Oklahoma. Economic Impact Estimates The aerospace sector produces significant direct and spillover effects. The gross economic contribution of the aerospace sector to the Greater OKC region include: • Employment: 80,200 jobs • Total Output: $8.8 billion • Labor Income: $4.0 billion • State and Local Tax Revenue: $413 million These impacts encompass direct jobs and earnings, as well as multiplier effects across supporting industries. Poised for Continued Growth The Greater Oklahoma City aerospace industry in 2025 is a dynamic, high-performing sector anchored by major federal installations and supported by an expanding private-sector base. Over the past decade, the industry has added nearly 9,000 jobs and increased output by almost 80%. Sustained momentum will depend on continued public investment, private-sector innovation, and targeted workforce development. With Greater OKC at its center, Oklahoma is firmly positioned as a rising national aerospace leader.
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
II. OKC Region Aerospace Industry Profile The 2025 Greater OKC region aerospace report provides a profile of firms in the region that are directly and substantially engaged in the provision of aerospace-related goods and services. In developing the profile, firms are identified, and key economic characteristics of each firm are collected or estimated, including output (or revenue), employment, and labor income 1 paid to workers. Proprietary and public databases are used in compiling the information along with direct contact with firms and consultation with industry professionals. As in prior years, the compiled database of aerospace firms is then used to prepare an economic profile of the industry as well as estimates of the economic contribution of the industry to the Greater OKC area economy. The process is largely unchanged from the 2015 and 2020 reports, making the results comparable across years. The research process used in developing the industry profile is detailed in Appendix 1. Industry Economic Profile (2025) Figure 2 summarizes the structure of the 10-county Greater Oklahoma City region aerospace sector in 2025 2 using eight major groupings. Both public and private sector employers are included in the profile. In the government grouping, two major federal government installations in the region are listed individually – Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) and the FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) – to reflect both their size and influence. For 2025, the region’s aerospace sector is comprised of 338 establishments employing over 45,500 workers and generating $8.8 billion in total output. Labor income from the sector reached $4.0 billion in 2025, an average of nearly $86,950 per worker. The size and breadth of the aerospace sector underlies its continued role as a major driver of the Greater OKC region economy.
Figure 2. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry by Major Sector (2025)
Labor Income ($Mil)
Establish- ments
Employ- ment
Output ($Mil)
Major Sector Government
8 1 1 6
33,568 26,960
$4,947.7 3,605.0 1,218.0
$2,623.7 1,980.2
Tinker Air Force Base (military, federal civilian, and contractors)
FAA - Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center All Other Government (federal, state, and local)
5,102 1,506 4,920 3,580 1,958
569.2
124.8
74.3
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
47 52
2,117.1
656.3 367.9 148.6
Engineering, Consulting, Program Management, and Logistics Air Transportation (Airports, aircraft sales, and air travel)
770.9 514.9 173.5 156.1
124
Manufacturing
14 30 37 26
673 537 228
61.3 49.9 17.4
Supplies and Materials Education and Training
26.8
Other (spraying, aerial services, and other)
75
9.5
5.5
Total $3,959.0 Source: Data Axle, Salesforce, D&B Hoovers, federal and state government reports, Tinker AFB internal reports, FAA internal reports, direct verification of data, and RegionTrack estimates 338 45,539 $8,773.0
1 Estimates of labor income includes employee compensation but not proprietor income earned from self-employment. Our expectation is that proprietor income constitutes less than 10% of total labor income earned across the various aerospace sectors. This provides a conservative margin for estimates of total labor income produced by the industry. 2 The estimates largely reflect activity in place during the second half of 2024 and first half of 2025. Commercial datasets used to identify firms reflect a snapshot of the data in February 2025, with most data verifications occurring in the prior 12 months.
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Figure 3. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry Detailed Profile (2025)
Labor Income ($Mil)
Establish- ments
Employ- ment
Output ($Mil)
Major Group
Subgroup
Air Transportation
Airport Services & Support
17 31 11 30 12 11
383 198
137.7
24.2 17.0
Aircraft Finance, Title, Leasing, and Sales Aircraft Fleet Ownership and Rental
40.7 17.5 69.7 50.1
75
6.4
Airports
244 250 672
19.2 18.1 54.9
Airport Ground Transportation Air Passenger Transportation
171.5
Medical Flight
4 8
24
5.4
1.8 8.6
Air Freight and Cargo
112 145
27.1 18.2
Education and Training
Aviation Education and Training
17 20 10 33
11.8
Flight Training
83
9.0
5.8
Engineering, Consulting, Program
Software and Information Technology Engineering, Consulting, and R&D
128
22.9
14.5
Management, and Logistics
2,644
611.9
288.7
General Contracting
2 7 2 6
7
0.8
0.6
Logistics, Supply Chain, and Customer Support
801
145.5 122.9
69.0 75.6
Government
State and Local Government
1,339
Federal Government
32,229
4,854.7
2,566.4
Manufacturing
Aircraft Parts and Components Manufacturing
10
470 190
112.9
39.8 20.1
Unmanned Aerial Systems Aircraft Manufacturing
3 1
56.8
13
3.8
1.4
MRO Other
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
47 20
4,920
2,128.0
659.7
Aerial Services
56
7.0 0.1 2.4
4.5 0.1 1.0
Museum
2 4
4
Other
15
Supplies and Materials
Parts and Components
26
496
143.3
46.3
Tools and Supplies
4
41
13.1
3.7
Total 3,959.0 Source: Data Axle, Salesforce, D&B Hoovers, federal and state government reports, Tinker AFB internal reports, FAA internal reports, direct verification of data, and RegionTrack estimates All Subsectors 338 45,539 8,773.0
Aerospace Market Structure Figure 3 provides a more detailed economic profile across 26 subgroups which emphasize the smaller components of the industry, particularly private sector establishments. The structure of the Greater Oklahoma City aerospace market is best characterized as having: • a extensive public sector presence; • a large and growing private maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector; • a significant concentration of aerospace engineering, consulting, and logistics firms; • an air transportation sector consistent with population; • a nascent but strategic aircraft and parts manufacturing presence; and • a range of specialized firms engaged in education, training, and other specialized aerial services.
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Federal Anchor: Tinker AFB and FAA Center At the center of the region’s aerospace complex are two key federal complexes – Tinker AFB and the FAA’s Monroney Center. 3 Tinker AFB is the largest single-site employer in the region and provides jobs for nearly 27,000 federal civilian workers, civilian contract workers, active-duty military, and Reserve/Guard members. The activities at Tinker AFB include a large MRO operation for military aircraft and a range of high-skill aerospace-related service occupations, with large numbers of workers engaged in program management and logistics activities. Smaller groups of Department of Defense (DoD) employees with a focus on information technology are also housed at Tinker AFB. The base generated $3.6 billion in output and $2 billion in compensation for workers in 2025. Workers at Tinker AFB comprise almost 60% of the total regional aerospace workforce. The FAA’s Monroney Center is located on the grounds of Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and is home to the highest concentration of Department of Transportation workers outside the Washington D.C. area. The Center provides consulting, engineering, repair, distribution, and technical support for air traffic control services in the United States and abroad. Approximately 5,100 federal civilian employees and contractors work at the campus and comprise 11% of the OKC region aerospace labor force. 4 These jobs are largely high-skill and generated total compensation of $570 million in fiscal year 2024. Total employment at federal government-related aerospace entities rose by more than 900 workers (3%) since the 2020 aerospace report, from 31,311 in 2020 to 32,229 in 2025. The federal government sector now accounts for about 70% of total aerospace employment (down from 75% in the 2020 report) and more than half of the sector’s total output. The reported total of 33,568 aerospace-related workers across federal, state, and local government comprise 74 % of the region’s aerospace labor force. Most of the state and local government aerospace-related workers in the region are affiliated with the Oklahoma Air National Guard. The roughly 1,325 full- and part-time employees comprising the Air Guard received an estimated $75 million in compensation in fiscal year 2024. Private-Sector Strength in MRO Outside of the government presence, the largest private-sector contributor is MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services. This segment includes 47 firms employing 4,920 workers, generating more than $2.1 billion in output, and producing $656 million in labor income. MRO services are closely tied to the regional military infrastructure, yet they are also diversified across commercial and private markets. Key MRO hubs in the Greater OKC region are located at Tinker AFB, Will Rogers World Airport, Wiley Post Airport, and other smaller general aviation airports in the region. Since the 2020 report, the MRO sector has posted significant growth. Employment has risen from 4,668 in 2020 to 4,920 in 2025, adding 250 jobs (5.4%). Output in the MRO sector surged from $1.47 billion to $2.13 billion over the past five years. Average wages reached $134,100 per MRO worker in 2025, reflecting the high number of engineering-related MRO jobs at Boeing and other major contractors.
3 For more detailed descriptions, see: https://www.tinker.af.mil/ and https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/afn/offices/mmac 4 The reported workforce at the FAA Center consists of 3,318 appropriated fund federal civilian employees and 1,784 contract workers and employees at tenant organizations. An unknown share of the personnel reported as working at Tenant Organizations are private sector employees and not federal government employees. As a result, some duplication of the employee count among private sector firms in Figure 2 is possible.
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Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Growing Engineering, Consulting, and Logistics Cluster Closely behind MRO is the private engineering, consulting, and logistics cluster, which includes engineering and R&D services, software and IT, and supply chain logistics. Together, these segments employ almost 3,600 people, produce $770 million in output, and pay $368 million in annual compensation. These workers highlight a strong base of highly skilled workers providing high-value-added technical services. Many are closely linked to and support the MRO activities in the region. The sector grew considerably between 2020 and 2025, with employment jumping from 2,901 to 3,580 (23.4%) and output increasing from $618 million to $771 million. Average wages in the sector reached $104,100 in 2025. A Broad Air Transportation Footprint The air transportation sector spans a wide range of commercial and general aviation services. These include airport operations, airlines, ground transport, passenger services, fleet operation, medical flights, air cargo, and aircraft sales and finance. Altogether, the air transportation subgroups account for almost 2,000 jobs, over $512 million in output, and more than $149 million in compensation to workers. Air passenger transportation plays a crucial role in the region's economy, employing 672 individuals and generating $171 million in output. This highlights the region's increasing significance as a commercial air hub. In 2025, the Though smaller in scale, aerospace manufacturing continues to play a vital and growing role in the Greater OKC region. About 670 workers are employed in firms making aircraft, parts, and unmanned systems, producing a combined $173 million in output in 2025. Additionally, the supplies and materials segment, including parts and tools, adds another 537 jobs and $156 million in output, underscoring the benefits of a well-developed regional supply chain. Workers in aerospace manufacturing earned an average of $91,000 in 2025, while those in supplies and materials averaged $93,100. Education, Training, and Specialized Services Workforce development within the aerospace sector includes a range of education and training providers, with 28 organizations providing aviation and flight training and certification through 228 workers. While modest in scale, these services support the industry’s long -term talent pipeline. Wages in the education and training subsector averaged $77,350 per worker in 2025. average compensation for air transportation workers was $76,750. Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Early Stage but Strategic Meanwhile, smaller subsectors such as aerial services, logistics support, and even museums and other non- core activities contribute to the ecosystem’s diversity , delivering specialized services and community-facing engagement. The 75 workers employed in these diverse subsectors received average wages of $74,400 annually in 2025. Industry Growth Trends: 2015 to 2025 The Greater Oklahoma City region’s aerospace sector continued its upward trajectory through 2025, with recent trends offering insights for shaping future state and regional economic development strategies: 1. Sustained Growth Through 2025 From 2015 to 2025, the sector added 102 aerospace establishments and nearly 9,000 jobs, while total output rose from $4.9 billion to $8.8 billion. Importantly, growth continued beyond 2020
8
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Figure 4. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Sector Growth – 2015 to 2025
Labor Income ($Mil) $2,665.9 2,108.0
Labor Income per Worker
Establish- ments
Employ- ment
Output ($Mil)
Output per worker
Year 2015
Sector
Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private
236
36,611 29,392
$4,893.1 3,218.7 1,674.4 $7,233.6 4,436.0 2,797.6 $8,773.0 4,977.6 3,795.4 $2,340.5 1,217.3 1,123.2
$72,818 71,720 77,286 $78,773 73,269 95,340 $86,938 78,706 110,023 $5,955
$133,650 109,508 231,945 $166,788 136,265 258,655 $192,649 148,285 317,050 $33,138 26,757 26,711 24.8% 24.4% 11.5% 25,861
16
220 291
7,219
557.9
2020
43,370 32,554 10,816 45,539 33,568 11,971 6,759 3,162 3,597 18.5% 10.8% 49.8% 2,168.5 1,013.5 1,155.0
$3,416.4 2,385.2 1,031.2 $3,959.0 2,642.0 1,317.1 $750.5
10
281 338
2025
8
330
Change 2015 to 2020
55
-6
277.2 473.3 28.2% 13.2% 84.8% 542.6 256.8 285.9 15.9% 10.8% 27.7%
1,549
61
18,054
% Change 2015 to 2020
23.3% -37.5% 27.7%
47.8% 37.8% 67.1%
8.2% 2.2%
23.4% 8,165 5,437 14,683 10.4%
Change 2020 to 2025
47
1,539.4
-2
541.6 997.8 21.3% 12.2% 35.7%
12,020 58,395 15.5%
49
% Change 2020 to 2025
16.2% -20.0% 17.4%
5.0% 3.1%
7.4%
8.8%
10.7%
15.4%
22.6%
following the pandemic period, with 47 new establishments, 2,170 new jobs, and $1.5 billion in additional output between 2020 and 2025. These gains highlight the sector’s consistent expansion and its anchoring role in the region’s economy. 2. Private Sector Drives Post-2020 Gains The private segment of the region’s aerospace industry accounted for more than half of total job growth and nearly two-thirds of output growth between 2020 and 2025. Private aerospace firms added 1,155 jobs and increased output by 35.7%, compared to 12.2% output growth in the public sector. This pattern reinforces the rising commercial focus within Oklahoma City’s aerospace base and underscores the importance of policies that support private sector innovation, investment, and talent pipelines. 3. Public Aerospace Remains a Stable Core The public sector, though growing at a slower rate, remains the foundation of the region’s aerospace employment and output. It added just over 1,000 jobs from 2020 to 2025 and maintained strong wage levels, with labor income per worker rising to nearly $79,000. The sector’s scale and stability suggest a continuing need to invest in federal and military aerospace assets while enabling complementary private sector growth. 4. Shifting Industry Composition Toward Private Sector Activity Between 2020 and 2025, the private sector’s share of total aerospace output rose from 38.7% to
9
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
43.3%, and its share of labor income rose from 30.2% to 33.3%. Employment share also continued to rise, reaching 26.3% by 2025. These shifts are not signs of public sector weakness, but rather of a more diversified and market-responsive regional industry – one that increasingly reflects national and global trends. 5. Strong and Broad-Based Productivity Gains Output per worker increased by 15.5% between 2020 and 2025, reaching nearly $193,000 across the sector. In the private sector, output per worker jumped 22.6%, rising to more than $317,000. These gains reflect rising capital investment, improved operational efficiency, and greater value added per job – particularly in commercial aerospace and manufacturing roles. 6. A More Competitive and Balanced Aerospace Economy The employment gains of the past five years were nearly evenly split between the public and private sectors, but the quality of growth – higher productivity, faster output growth, and rising wages – was increasingly concentrated in the private sector. The result is a more balanced aerospace ecosystem, where commercial firms complement the region’s longstanding public sector strength. In short, the region’s aerospace sector is evolving into a more competitive and diversified industry, with sustained growth now increasingly driven by the private sector. This compositional shift reflects national trends and creates new opportunities for Oklahoma to position itself as a hub for commercial aerospace innovation, supply chain development, and high-skill job creation. State and regional policy must continue to balance support for legacy public aerospace infrastructure while accelerating investment in private-sector capacity through targeted workforce training, business incentives, and infrastructure planning that reflects the sector’s increasingly dual character. Limited Pandemic Effects The preparation of the 2020 version of the aerospace report coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. aerospace sector was hard-hit as national economic activity was disrupted, especially commercial aviation, as air travel contracted sharply. The expectation in the 2020 report was that the OKC region aerospace sector was well positioned relative to many aerospace hubs to weather the crisis. Two factors – the sector’s high share of public sector activity and contractors working on long -term projects – were believed to provide far more budget stability than private sector activity. The Oklahoma City area was also relatively less dependent upon commercial aviation, the hardest-hit component of the aerospace sector. These factors ultimately played a key role in the region's resilience during the pandemic, allowing it to maintain its long-term growth trajectory with minimal permanent damage. Additionally, data through 2025 shows little indication of a lasting pullback in the industry. Aerospace Employment by County While all ten counties comprising the Greater Oklahoma City region have some aerospace presence, the industry’s core remains highly concentrated in Oklahoma County ( see Figure 5 ). Oklahoma County is home to 60% of the region ’s aerospace employers and approximately 97% of the aerospace jobs and output produced in the region. Most of the region’s large public aerospace -related infrastructure is located within Oklahoma County, including Tinker AFB, the FAA Center, Will Rogers World Airport, and Will Rogers Air National Guard
10
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Base. These facilities account for nearly all public sector aerospace employment and much of the private commercial aviation component. Many of the largest private employers such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, CACI, Southwest Airlines Reservation Center, and AAR, are similarly located in Oklahoma County. Most of the large aerospace consulting and MRO firms are located near Tinker AFB. However, approximately 1,200 aerospace jobs are located across the remaining counties in the Greater Oklahoma City region. Most of the jobs located outside Oklahoma County are in aircraft maintenance and air transportation and primarily support local commercial and general aviation. These smaller aerospace firms are spread among the remaining counties as detailed in Figure 5.
Figure 5. Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry Profile by County (2025)
Aerospace and Aviation (A&A)
Total County Wage & Salary Employment
A&A Share of Total W&S Employment
Output ($Mil)
Labor Income ($Mil)
County
Establishments Employment
Canadian Cleveland
26 27
7.7% 8.0% 1.5% 1.2% 2.7% 3.3% 2.1%
133 165
0.3% 0.4% 0.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% 0.0%
22.8 32.4
0.3% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.3% 0.2% 0.0%
9.7
0.2% 0.4% 0.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% 0.0%
39,378 93,457 13,793
0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 1.1% 1.0% 0.1% 8.8% 1.5% 0.5% 6.1%
15.1
Grady
5 4 9
23
4.1 1.4
2.3 0.6 9.4 7.5 0.9
Kingfisher
9
6,897 7,531 9,099
Lincoln Logan McClain
84 91 12
28.5 20.9
11
7
2.3
12,442 504,899 35,610 23,321 746,426
Oklahoma
203
60.1% 44,354 97.4% 8,503.7 96.9% 3,849.4 97.2%
Payne
31 15
9.2% 4.4%
548 120
1.2% 0.3%
134.0
1.5% 0.3%
54.6
1.4% 0.2%
Pottawatomie
22.7
9.6
10-County Region 338
100.0% 45,539 100.0% $8,773.0 100.0% $3,959.0 100.0%
Notes: Total employment by county is based on BEA’s measure of total wage & salary employment. Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and RegionTrack calculations
Payne County and Cleveland County have the largest number of aerospace firms, with 31 and 27 establishments, respectively . Both counties are home to Tier 1 research universities (Oklahoma State University in Payne County and University of Oklahoma in Cleveland County) that offer degree programs in aerospace engineering, aviation management, and flight training. Canadian County is home to 26 aerospace establishments that serve a diverse mix of market segments including training, parts manufacturing, and general aviation services. Most workers in the remaining counties provide air transportation and maintenance services in support of local general aviation. Aerospace workers continue to comprise an important share of total wage and salary employment across the 10-County region. The more than 45,500 wage and salary workers in aerospace accounted for an estimated 6.1% share of all wage and salary employment in the Greater Oklahoma City region in 2025. The employment share is greatest at 8.8% in Oklahoma County but falls below 2% of total employment in the remaining counties. The aerospace workforce shares in Payne (1.5%), Lincoln (1.1%), and Logan (1.0%) counties range from 1% to 2% of total county wage and salary employment. Aerospace workers comprise less than 1% of total county wage and salary employment in the remaining six counties.
11
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
III. OKC Region Aerospace Employers & Workforce Largest Aerospace Employers . Figure 6 highlights the 25 largest aerospace-related employers in the Greater OKC region. Each of these employers has approximately 100 or more workers in the region. Three very large aerospace employers – Tinker AFB, the FAA Center, and Boeing – employ a combined 80% of all aerospace workers in the 10-county region. Five employers – Tinker AFB, the FAA Center, Boeing, Oklahoma Air Guard, and Northrup Grumman – have 1,000 or more workers and account for a combined 84% of total aerospace employment in the region. Six additional firms – Pratt & Whitney, CACI, AAR, Southwest Airlines Reservation, Field Aerospace, and Long Wave – employ between 250 and 500 workers. Three more firms – FDH Aero, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Serco – employ between 200 and 250 workers. All other aerospace firms have an average of about 15 employees. More than half (195 of 338) of aerospace firms in the region have five or fewer employees. Figure 6. 25 Largest Greater OKC Region Aerospace Employers
Labor Income ($Mil) Subgroup
Employ- ment
Output ($Mil)
Rank Employer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Tinker Air Force Base
26,960 $3,605.0 $1,980.2 Federal Government
FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Ctr.
5,102 1,218.0 3,700 1,774.0
569.2 Federal Government
Boeing Co.
549.9 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul 58.6 State and Local Government 107.0 Engineering, Consulting, and R&D 58.3 Engineering, Consulting, and R&D 37.6 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul 20.0 Air Passenger Transportation 9.7 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul 20.7 Engineering, Consulting, and R&D 32.5 Logistics, Supply Chain, and Customer Support 18.3 Aircraft Parts and Components Manufacturing
Oklahoma Air National Guard
1,326 1,000
94.0
Northrop Grumman
226.6 123.5
Pratt & Whitney
500 450 350 310 250 250 220 200 200 180 160 145 144 140 130 130 125 115 100
CACI
68.5
AAR Airframe Maintenance Southwest Airlines Reservations
121.2
62.5 31.3 43.8 51.9 56.1 41.0 52.9 40.7 23.4 56.6 43.1 26.2 31.8 23.1 27.2 24.5 27.2
10 Field Aerospace 11 Long Wave Inc.
12 FDH Aero
12 Booz Allen Hamilton
26.5 Engineering, Consulting, and R&D
14 Serco
19.4 Logistics, Supply Chain, and Customer Support
15 Asco Aerospace USA LLC 16 Frontier Electronic Systems 17 Olympic Security Svc. 18 Will Rogers World Airport 19 Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems
17.1 Parts and Components
19.2 Engineering, Consulting, and R&D 10.2 Airport Services & Support
12.3 Airports
15.2 Unmanned Aerial Systems
20 Advancia Corp.
12.4 Logistics, Supply Chain, and Customer Support
21 KBR
15.0 Engineering, Consulting, and R&D 8.3 Airport Ground Transportation
22 Airport Express Inc.
23 Aerobraze Engineered Tech 24 Metrea Special Aerospace LLC 25 Delaware Resource Group
9.6 Aircraft Parts and Components Manufacturing
11.6 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul 8.7 Engineering, Consulting, and R&D
96
Top 25 Employers
42,283 $7,894.1 $3,638.8 45,539 $8,773.0 $3,959.0
All Employers
Top 25 Share of All Employers
92.9%
90.0%
91.9%
12
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Tinker Air Force Base The largest aerospace employer in the region remains Tinker AFB. In fiscal year 2025, the Base was the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma with a workforce of nearly 27,000 professionals. The labor force at Tinker AFB represents the largest single concentration of aerospace-related employment in the Greater Oklahoma City region and statewide, as well as a large share of total aerospace-related employment statewide. The base is home to over 40 major aerospace-related functions and units, including weapon system sustainment, life cycle management of weapon systems, and operational flying activities. The following provides examples of several key units: Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC) With its headquarters at Tinker Air Force Base, The Air Force Sustainment Center is one of six specialized centers assigned to the Air Force Materiel Command. The mission of the Air Force Sustainment Center is to provide sustainment and logistics readiness to deliver combat power for America. The center consists of military and civilian professionals delivering globally integrated, agile logistics and sustainment. The AFSC incorporates a headquarters element, three air logistics complexes, three air base wings, two supply chain wings and multiple remote operating locations incorporating more than 35,000 military and civilian personnel and Air Force contractors. The AFSC provides critical sustainment for the Air Force's most sophisticated weapons systems, including but not limited to A-10 Thunderbolt II, AC-130, B-1 Lancer, B- 52 Stratofortress, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, E-3 Sentry, E-6 Mercury, E-8 Joint STARS, EC-130, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, HC-130, HH-60 Pave Hawk, ICBM, KC-135 Stratotanker, MC-130, RQ-4 Global Hawk, U-2 Dragon Lady, and UH-1 Iroquois aircraft as well as a wide range of aircraft engines and component parts. Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker Air Force Base is one of the largest units in the Air Force Materiel Command, with a team of over 9,000 military and civilian professionals delivering combat power for America. The complex performs programmed depot maintenance and modifications on KC-46, KC-135, B-1B, B-52, E-3 and Navy E-6 aircraft. It also provides maintenance, repair and overhaul for F100 (Exchangeable workload), F101, F108, F110 (Exchangeable workload), F117, F118, F119 (Exchangeable workload), F135 (ACI inspections), TF33 engines and a wide variety of commodities for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and foreign military sales. The complex is responsible for world-wide aircraft battle damage repair capability for multiple weapon systems. The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex is comprised of four groups that team together to provide world-class maintenance, repair and overhaul support to the warfighter. 1. The 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group is the Air Force’s premier unit for programmed depot maintenance on B-1 Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry (AWACS), E-6 Mercury (Navy), and special mission fleets. The 76th AMXG performs all facets of depot maintenance, including Full Overhaul Maintenance, FAA Certified Aircraft Repairs, Engineering Services, Aircraft Modifications, Depaint and Paint Services, Flight Testing and Expeditionary Depot Repair Teams. The group is currently preparing f or the Air Force’s next generation tanker, the KC-46 Pegasus. 2. The 76th Commodities Maintenance Group directs, manages, and operates organic depot level maintenance facilities in the repair and overhaul of Air Force, Navy, and FMS aircraft and
13
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
engine parts to serviceable condition. The group's portfolio includes the A-10, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-5, C-17, C-130, C-135, C-141, E-3, F-4, F-5, F-15, F-16, F-22, MQ-1, MQ-9, and T-38 weapons systems. The 76th CMXG also serves as the Air Force Technology Repair Center for air and fuel accessories, constant speed drives, and oxygen related components. 3. The 76th Maintenance Support Group is responsible for maintaining one of DoD's largest industrial complexes on a 24/7 basis. It keeps the buildings, hangars, machines and equipment running so the depot can meet the warfighters' requirements. Structures range from World War II era buildings and hangars to state-of-the-art software and engine maintenance facilities and equipment. The group services include Physical Plant Management, Metrology, Physical Science Laboratories, Tools Management, Environmental Oversight, and Long-Range Facility Planning. 4. The 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group is DoD’s foremost engine repair and overhaul center. It sustains most of the bomber, tanker, fighter, and special mission aircraft engines in the Air Force, as well as some Navy and Foreign Military Sales engines. The group performs repairs on engines and major engine assemblies for the F100, F101, F107, F108, F110, F117, F118, F119, F137, and TF33. 448 th Supply Chain Management Wing The 448th Supply Chain Management Wing serves as the single Air Force wholesale Supply Chain Management Wing manager responsible for all aspects of planning and execution of spares requirements for aircraft, engines, intercontinental ballistic missiles, Space and Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence, and a wide range of support equipment, pods, and missiles. Planning and execution also extends to programmed depot maintenance, engine overhaul, commodity/equipment repair, commodity sustaining engineering and supply chain readiness to more than 50 partner nations. The 448 SCMW is a geographically distributed wing, operating at three locations in three different time zones, headquartered at Tinker Air Force Base, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian and military personnel. 72 nd Air Base Wing The 72nd Air Base Wing is the host organization for Tinker Air Force Base. The wing provides installation and support services for more than 27,000 personnel assigned to the Air Force Sustainment Center headquarters, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex and more than 45 associate units assigned to six major commands, including the 552nd Air Control Wing and the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE. The 72nd ABW provides deployment preparation services and capability for real-world combat/combat- support operations and also maintains installation security, law enforcement, emergency response, facilities, utilities, safety and transportation services for Team Tinker. Information technology and information protection support functions also fall under the wing ’s responsibilities. In addition, the wing provides a functional airfield, weather and fuels support for local and transient flight operations. Members of the wing strive to deliver extraordinary customer service, lodging and housing accommodations, food-service operations, financial services, human resource management, health and medical care, morale, welfare and recreation programs and spiritual resilience to Team Tinker’s members, families and retiree populations.
14
Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Propulsion Directorate
The Propulsion Directorate is responsible for leading propulsion system life cycle requirements to include system development, acquisition, fielding, sustainment, and modernization to ensure warfighter readiness, affordability, safety, and effectiveness needs are met. The Propulsion Directorate consists of over 600 employees managing more than 22,000 engines installed on over 30 different weapon systems in support of the U.S. Air Force and 50 international partners. Other AFLCMC Units Other Tinker AFB AFLCMC organizations provide life cycle management for the E-3 AWACS, B- 1 Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft and the Presidential and Executive fleet. Operational Wings 507 th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) The 507th Air Refueling Wing is the largest Air Force Reserve Command flying unit in the state of Oklahoma. The 507th ARW reports to Fourth Air Force and performs daily missions both locally and around the world in support of Air Mobility Command and U.S. Strategic Command's national emergency war order requirements, operating out of Tinker Air Force Base. The wing operates and maintains eight KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft providing world-wide aerial refueling to U.S. and NATO aircraft in times of peace, war, and national emergency. The 507th ARW trains aircrew on the Reserve KC-135 and the Reserve C-17 Globemaster III at a geographically separated unit, the 730th Air Mobility Training Squadron at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, where KC-46 Pegasus flight training will begin in the near future. The 507th ARW consists of three subordinate groups and 11 squadrons while employing more than 1,200 men and women. The 507th ARW is made up of Reserve Citizen Airmen, many of whom live and work in Oklahoma communities in addition to their Reserve commitment. Approximately 200 members of the 507th are traditional civilian employees or dual status Air Reserve Technicians who serve as a support cadre. 552 nd Air Control Wing (ACW) The 552nd Air Control Wing is responsible to the commander of Air Combat Command for the operations, maintenance, logistics, training, and combat support of E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft as well as ground-based Control and Reporting Centers. The wing provides combat-ready theater battle management forces at the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It deploys, operates, and supports these forces worldwide, ensuring combat capability for all peacetime and contingency operations. Navy Strategic Communications Wing ONE and Task Group 114.2 The Navy Strategic Communications Wing One consists of three squadrons and a Wing staff that employs over 1,300 active-duty sailors and 100 contractors to provide maintenance, security, operations, administration, training and logistic support for the E-6 Mercury aircraft fleet. The primary mission is to receive, verify and retransmit Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) to US
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