The Oklahoma City metro economy added fewer jobs than initially reported in 2024, carried less momentum into 2025, and managed modest job gains through the year. Job gains were concentrated in three sectors: construction, health services, and leisure hospitality. By the end of 2025, the six-month moving average of Oklahoma City employment was effectively flat and employment changed little from 12 months prior. Oklahoma City employment in 2025 was supported in part by strong demand for construction employment. While we do expect the industry to hold those job gains as a series of large private and public projects progress, we do not expect the pace of job growth to repeat. Similarly, job growth in the restaurant services sector of leisure and hospitality was flat to end 2025 as shifting consumer spending began to be felt across the sector. We do expect continued job growth in the health services sector to be joined by modest gains in manufacturing, financial services, and professional services. The full forecast of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City macroeconomic and labor market conditions in 2026 is available in the appendix tables.
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The baseline forecast for OKC MSA nonfarm employment is for very slow growth through the first three quarters.
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We do expect continued job growth in the health services sector to be joined by modest gains in manufacturing, financial services, and professional services.
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2026 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
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