OVERVIEW WHERE DID WE GROW IN 2025?
In 2025, the Oklahoma City metro economy experienced year-over-year nonfarm annual job growth of 0.9% or a gain of 6,600 jobs. The largest percentage year-over-year preliminary job gains were found in construction (7.1%), education & health (4.3%), other services (2.0%), financial activities (1.0%), leisure & hospitality (0.8%), and trade transportation & utilities (0.6%). The super sector industries experiencing decline include manufacturing (-1.5%), professional & business services (-0.7%), and government (-0.5%). The Oklahoma City metro completed 2025 with an annual average unemployment rate of 3.2%, the eighth-lowest since 1990. Rates ranged as high as 3.8% (Nov.) and as low as 2.4% (Apr.). The metro experienced 52 consecutive months of unemployment below 4% and was ranked among the top 10 lowest unemployment rates for large metros (over 1 million population). WHERE WILL WE GROW IN 2026? Positive Oklahoma City metro nonfarm job growth is expected in 2026, with the baseline job forecast scenario growing by 0.6% or adding nearly 4,500 jobs. Three alternative forecast models that the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber tracks separately show a similarly modest 2025 employment growth between 0.7% and 1.1%. The local economy remains vulnerable to national and global uncertainties that may disrupt economic conditions. The largest percentage year-over-year job gains are expected in financial activities (3.1%), manufacturing (2.1%), education & healthcare (2.0%), construction (1.7%), professional & business services (1.7%), other services (0.6%), and government (0.8%). Flat or decline is expected in trade & transportation (-0.1%) and leisure & hospitality (0.0%). Job posting data can often be viewed as a proxy for future hiring intentions. The total number of job postings for December 2025 in the Oklahoma City metro was flat (less than 1% growth) when compared to the same month the prior year (December 2024). Comparatively, the nation experienced an 8% increase.
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2026 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
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