Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
Trade and Craft Occupations . Federal civilian workers filled a reported 7,284 trade and craft jobs at Air Force locations in Oklahoma in fiscal year 2024, with a large share of these workers holding traditional aerospace occupations. Average annual wages for these trade occupations reached $67,400. Currently, more than 6,400 total trade and craft jobs related to MRO are in metal work (1,810 jobs), aircraft overhaul (1,585 jobs), engine overhaul (645 jobs), electrical installation and maintenance (408 jobs), electronic equipment installation and equipment maintenance (387 jobs), fluid systems maintenance (360 jobs), metal processing (356 jobs), machine tool work (291 jobs), painting (290), industrial equipment maintenance (194), pliable materials work (105), and industrial equipment operation (7). An additional 800 related trade and craft occupations in support of MRO include warehousing and stock handling (438 jobs), industrial equipment maintenance (194), and packing and processing (162 jobs). In contrast to white-collar positions, the number of workers in trade occupations contracted by about 600 between FY2019 and FY2024. There were numerous adjustments made to employment among trade and craft specialties directly tied to the aircraft MRO mission of units at Tinker AFB – metal work (-160 jobs), aircraft overhaul (+10 jobs), engine overhaul (-3 jobs), industrial equipment maintenance (-15 jobs), electrical installation and maintenance (-45 jobs), electronic equipment installation and maintenance (-5 jobs), metal processing (-74 jobs), and fluid systems maintenance (+18 jobs). Tinker AFB Hiring Outlook and High Demand Occupations . 5 Future job expansion is anticipated at Tinker AFB in both the near- and long-term. A breakdown of projections by the Civilian Personnel Office for high demand jobs by occupation is detailed along with current employment levels in Figure 7. Sources of expected new hires at the base include normal turnover, expanded MRO activities at the Base, and other factors. High Demand Occupations . For fiscal years 2025 and 2026, projected needs at the base in high demand occupations total more than 2,900 positions (1,715 white collar and 1,200 blue collar). The pace of new hiring for high demand positions at the base is projected to remain steady at approximately 365 new workers per quarter over the next two fiscal years. The highest demand for white-collar workers remains engineering and architecture (498 positions); general admin, clerical, and office (440 positions); mathematics and statistics (178 positions); general miscellaneous (125 positions); and business and industry (122 positions). Trade and craft occupations with the highest demand include metal work (383 positions); aircraft overhaul (250 positions); engine overhaul (122 positions); and warehouse and stock handling (108 positions). Approximately two-thirds of the high demand positions are classified as Journeyman and the remaining one-third as Developmental. Journeyman positions assume an individual would be work-ready and need little to no assistance in carrying out the work being performed. Developmental (DEV) positions assume individuals need additional training and/or assistance to be able to carry out the work being performed.
5 See: Tinker Air Force Base Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Hiring Forecast. Available from the Tinker Air Force Base Civilian Personnel Office. The forecast covers external hires in Air Force activities at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 (1 October 2024 through 30 September 2026). It does not include hiring in other federal agencies located at Tinker AFB, i.e., Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Department of the Navy or private sector contractors performing work at Tinker AFB. It also does not project employment for Non-Appropriated Fund Activity (NAF) facilities at Tinker AFB including, bowling centers, golf courses, community centers, and arts and crafts activities.
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