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. 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
Greater OKC Region Aerospace and Aviation - 2025
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