State remains below national jobless rate, but unemployment is up sharply from a year ago
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s unemployment rate ticked up in May, even as the state added payroll jobs during the month.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.1% in May, up from 4.0% in April, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3%.
Oklahoma’s unemployment rate remained below the national average, but it was a full percentage point higher than in May 2025, when the state jobless rate stood at 3.1%.
The report showed 82,121 Oklahomans were unemployed in May, up 2,058 from April and up 18,661 from a year earlier. Statewide employment declined by 4,118 people during the month and was down 42,223 from May 2025.
Oklahoma’s labor force also declined. The state’s seasonally adjusted labor force totaled 1,994,372 in May, down 2,060 from April and down 23,562 from a year earlier.
The labor-force figures showed fewer Oklahomans employed, while a separate payroll survey showed a slight increase in jobs.
Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 2,200 jobs in May, a 0.1% gain from April. The state had 1,795,600 nonfarm jobs in May, down 1,800 from a year earlier.
Seven of Oklahoma’s major industry sectors added jobs during the month. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest monthly gain, adding 1,500 jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities added 500 jobs.
Professional and business services recorded the largest monthly decline, losing 1,100 jobs. Construction lost 200 jobs during the month.
Over the year, education and health services posted the strongest gain, adding 4,900 jobs. Other services added 3,000 jobs, while mining, logging and construction added 2,000 jobs.
The largest annual losses came in professional and business services, which was down 4,400 jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities, which was down 2,400 jobs. Manufacturing employment declined by 2,100 jobs over the year.
The report also showed Oklahoma’s private-sector average hourly wage increased. The 12-month average reached $31.45 in May, up from $31.33 in April and $30.52 in May 2025.
OESC released the May employment report Tuesday.
