Industries
Aerospace
One of the state’s biggest employment generators, the aerospace industry represents more than 43,250 jobs at more than 290 firms in Oklahoma City. Centered on the work at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base, private companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Kratos, Skydweller and Pratt & Whitney partner with military personnel to operate the largest aircraft and jet repair center in the United States. Another star performer is the FAA's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, whose 7,500 direct federal employees provide aviation training and logistics support to the nation's aerospace system.
Biotechnology
OKC is cultivating a fast-growing bioscience cluster with cutting-edge research and technology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Presbyterian Health Foundation and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Over the past decade, local startups like Selexys, Crescendo and Novazyme have been acquired by some of the biggest names in the industry. Total revenues in biotechnology exceed $6.7 billion annually. Oklahomans are investing in both bioscience and innovative solutions, and it’s paying off with a booming and growing business sector for OKC. Most recently, entities in the region partnered to help win a Build Back Better grant for the biotech hub. The $35-million grant will help launch six core biotech projects in Oklahoma City.
Energy
Well-known for being a global oil capital, Oklahoma City's energy industry developed significantly from its oil-intense beginnings. OKC also makes a great fit for CNG, wind and solar production and manufacturing. OKC is strong in these areas because of its strategic central location, wealth of advanced manufacturing, production and workforce synergies due to our well-developed aerospace sector and low input costs.
Headquarters and Shared Services
The low cost of doing business in Oklahoma City combined with a well-trained workforce has made Oklahoma City an attractive location for companies to headquarter and/or operate back office operations here. Companies like Hobby Lobby, Devon Energy, Paycom, Heartland Payment Systems, Sonic Corp., MidFirst Bank, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores and American Fidelity are just a handful of the diverse employers who operate their headquarters in Oklahoma City.
Health Care
As one of the nation’s major centers of health care delivery, the Oklahoma City region employs more than 123,000 health care and social assistance jobs. Our 36 general medical and surgical hospitals and nine specialized hospitals combine to offer outstanding health care.
Manufacturing and Distribution
This broad category includes metals and machinery; building materials; food products; and medical devices and equipment. With more than 38,000 employed, the manufacturing sector represents approximately 6% of the Greater Oklahoma City workforce.
Technology and Entrepreneurship
In many ways, OKC's very roots run deep in the entrepreneurial spirit — after all, our city was founded in a day after the Land Run of 1889. Today, Oklahoma City's growing entrepreneurship community currently benefits from our low-cost, business-friendly environment, as well as easy talent acquisition due to our region's more than 100,000 college students. From successful tech startups to biotech labs to the inventor's workbench, OKC is a place where your ideas can get off the ground.
