Greater OKC Region Aerospace Industry – 2025
mechanics and service technicians, roughly one-third the state total, and 290 avionics technicians, more than two-thirds of the state total. These two occupations reflect the overall presence of military and civilian aviation across the state and in the Greater OKC region. The state also ranks 14th for its 280 aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers. Oklahoma ranks 4 th in employment of aircraft mechanics and service technicians with more than 8,000 workers, and 10 th in avionics technicians with 420 workers. The higher rankings for Oklahoma on both occupations reflect the larger role they play in aircraft MRO activity, one of the state’s strengths. The Oklahoma City metro area is home to 2,650 aircraft mechanics and service technicians, roughly one-third the state total, and 290 avionics technicians, more than two-thirds of the state total. These two occupations reflect the overall presence of military and civilian aviation across the state and in the Greater OKC region. The state also ranks 14 th for its 280 aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers.
Figure 10. Annual Earnings by Aerospace-Related Occupation by State (2024)
SOC Code
United States
Occupation
OK
AZ
CA
FL
GA
KS
TX
WA
Aerospace Engineers
17-2011 17-3021
$141,180 $113,010 $143,930 $157,060 $128,500 $151,320 $118,870 $130,320 $159,790
Aerospace Engineer. & Operations Tech.
86,330
68,330
68,510
95,090
84,620 *74,620
72,470
85,020
104,320
Electricians
47-2111
69,630
62,850
61,520
85,780
55,490
61,590
65,470
57,250
93,840
Avionics Technicians
49-2091
82,350
64,490
84,590
91,110
78,760
73,890
66,250
78,690
95,510
Aircraft Mechanics & Service Tech. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, & Systems Assembly Engine & Other Machine Assemblers
49-3011
80,780
79,010
79,040
85,750
79,270
84,060
73,370
80,430
83,700
51-2011
66,510
50,660
66,270
59,640
62,220
65,120
64,300
70,870
78,990
51-2031
56,040
50,580
48,170
53,960
53,600
37,480
NA
43,280
65,060
Machinists
51-4041
57,390
52,950
59,070
60,050
53,320
52,500
51,990
58,010
70,040
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, & Brazers
51-4121
55,100
50,820
58,390
61,980
52,570
49,960
52,360
54,380
64,730
All Occupations
$67,920 100.000 $67,920
$54,960 $65,740 $79,900 $62,990 $64,210 $58,230
$63,660 97.175 $65,511
$81,550 108.562
Regional Price Parity Index (U.S.=100.0)
88.286 101.105 112.581 103.452
96.699
89.965
Aerospace Wage Comparison . Wages in Oklahoma for most aerospace occupations are generally among the lowest across the major aerospace states and reflect, in part, the relatively low overall cost-of-living in the state. The average wage of $113,010 for aerospace engineers in Oklahoma remains below nearly all the largest aerospace states. In the Oklahoma City metro area, aerospace engineers earned a reported average of $103,240 per year in 2025. 12 The labor market for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is highly developed in Oklahoma but still has the second lowest average annual wage ($79,010) among the comparison group of states, exceeding only Kansas. The average in the Oklahoma City metro area is slightly lower than the state at $61,760 annually. This reflects in part the wage rate paid to active-duty military personnel at Tinker AFB included in the wage comparison. The labor market for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is highly developed in Oklahoma but still has the second lowest average annual wage ($79,010) among the comparison group of states, exceeding only Kansas. The average in the Oklahoma City metro area is slightly lower than the state at $61,760 annually. This reflects in part the wage rate paid to active-duty military personnel at Tinker AFB included in the wage comparison. Oklahoma’s wages for support occupations such as electricians, machinists, engine assemblers, and welders are more reflective of a national market for these occupations. Wages in Oklahoma are highly comparable to those paid in the seven comparison states. 12 Oklahoma’s wages for support occupations such as electricians, machinists, engine assemblers, and welders are more reflective of a national market for these occupations. Wages in Oklahoma are highly comparable to those paid in the seven comparison states. Wages in the Oklahoma City metro area for most of the occupations in Figure 10 are generally 5-15% above the respective statewide average for each occupation. 12 Metropolitan area wage rates for aerospace engineers are not reported in the 2024 release of the Occupational Employment Statistics by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Reported rates are from the Lightcast Staffing Patterns 2025.1 (QCEW+Non-QCEW+Self-Employed) database. All Occupations (RPP Adjusted) $75,118 Notes: Occupations are defined using Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes. Kansas has no workers (NA) reported in occupation 51-2031 in 2024. State regional price parity indexes are for 2023. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis-Regional Price Parities $62,252 $65,022 $70,971 $60,888 $66,402 $64,725 Metropolitan area wage rates for aerospace engineers are not reported in the 2024 release of the Occupational Employment Statistics by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Reported rates are from the Lightcast Staffing Patterns 2025.1 (QCEW+Non-QCEW+Self-Employed) database.designated operating theatre.
Aerospace Wage Comparison. Wages in Oklahoma for most aerospace occupations are generally among the lowest across the major aerospace states and reflect, in part, the relatively low overall cost-of-living in the state. The average wage of $113,010 for aerospace engineers in Oklahoma remains below nearly all the largest aerospace states. In the Oklahoma City metro area, aerospace engineers earned a reported average of $103,240 per year in 2025. 12
28
Greater OKC Region Aerospace and Aviation - 2025
37
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online