OKC’s unemployment rate remains among lowest in the nation

Oklahoma City’s unemployment rate held steady in August, continuing a historic stretch of strong job performance across the metro. The OKC metropolitan statistical area (MSA) recorded an unemployment rate of 3.3%, improving from 3.0% in July (seasonally adjusted). 

The metro area has now maintained 49 consecutive months of unemployment below 4%, marking the longest such streak in the city’s modern history. The August rate is preliminary and subject to revision. 

Across the state, 33 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties reported higher unemployment rates in July compared to the previous year, while 27 counties saw lower rates and 17 remained unchanged. 

Among large metropolitan areas with populations over 1 million, OKC ranked fourth lowest in unemployment for August. Birmingham, Alabama posted the lowest rate at 2.5%, while Fresno, California recorded the highest at 7.9%. 

August unemployment data: 

• Oklahoma County: 3.4% (up from 3.1% in July) 
• State of Oklahoma: 3.1% (unchanged from July) 
• Tulsa MSA: 3.4% (up from 3.1% in July) 
• United States: 4.3% (up from 4.2% in July) 

Additional reports and data are available through the following sources: 

• Oklahoma Employment Report (includes Greater OKC Partnership county level data)  
• BLS Metropolitan Economic News Release  
• Unemployment Rate Rankings for Large Metros  
• Oklahoma Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) Data Report   

Upcoming release dates for unemployment data are as follows: 

• United States: September data released Oct. 3 
• State of Oklahoma: September data to be released Oct. 21 
• Metro and County levels: September data to be released Oct. 29