How Much Do RNs Make in Oklahoma?
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Jan 21, 2025
How Much Do RNs Make in Oklahoma?
Demand for nurses and other health care professionals is high across the country, including in Oklahoma. While the state reports an average salary of $53,450 for all occupations, nurses earn a significantly higher wage.
Before turning to Oklahoma nursing salary data, we’ll look at what registered nurses (RNs) do and where they work in Oklahoma. Then, we’ll turn to salary and job demand data from state and national sources to uncover how much RNs make in Oklahoma cities and rural areas. An accredited nursing program can prepare RNs for these in-demand roles.
What Do RNs in Oklahoma Do?
Oklahoma RNs provide preventive and critical care for patients, with an emphasis on patient-centered care. Depending on their specialty, they assess patients, administer treatments, assist physicians, and educate patients on managing health conditions.
Common RN specialties include:
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Primary care nurses: Nurses who work in primary care conduct health assessments, assist physicians during medical exams, and discuss treatment plans with patients. They often work in doctors’ offices.
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Critical care nurses: These nurses work in intensive care settings, typically in hospitals, where they monitor patients with serious illnesses and injuries, including in the intensive care unit (ICU).
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Cardiovascular nurses: RNs in this specialty care for patients with heart conditions. They also provide care for patients who have undergone heart surgery.
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Public health nurses: Nurses in public health educate people about chronic health conditions, infectious diseases, and the importance of immunization. They also provide medical care as part of community health programs.
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Pediatric nurses: Nurses in pediatrics work closely with children and their families, both in primary and specialty care settings. These roles require patience and excellent interpersonal skills.
A bachelor’s degree in nursing and an Oklahoma nursing license prepare nurses for these specialties.
Where Do Oklahoma Nurses Work?
RNs work across the state of Oklahoma, with the largest concentration of jobs in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS), 13,710 RNs work in Oklahoma City as of May 2023, while 9,570 work in Tulsa.
Rural areas also employ large numbers of nurses, with 7,310 RNs working in Oklahoma’s nonmetropolitan areas.
The major work settings for Oklahoma RNs include hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and nursing and residential care facilities. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission projects job growth in all three settings from 2022-2032.
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Hospitals (+3.2% projected growth, 2022-2032): Nurses working in Oklahoma hospitals provide emergency and critical care for patients, including in specialties such as medical-surgical nurses, cardiology, and oncology. They also coordinate care with other health care professionals and educate patients and families.
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Ambulatory Health Care Services (+8.9% projected growth, 2022-2032): Ambulatory care, which includes doctors’ offices, outpatient care centers, and home health care, represents a fast-growing sector of Oklahoma’s economy. Nurses in these settings provide primary care and support in settings that do not require overnight stays.
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Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (+10% projected growth, 2022-2032): An aging population means a growing demand for long-term care, including in nursing and residential care facilities. Nurses in these settings assess patient health, communicate issues to doctors, and implement care plans.
Oklahoma Nursing Salary and Job Outlook
RNs in Oklahoma benefit from a strong salary and job outlook. Demand for nurses continues to grow in the Sooner state, and RNs earn a mean salary of over $82,000 per year.
In Oklahoma, nurses must graduate from an accredited nursing program and hold a valid Oklahoma RN license to practice.
Average Nursing Salaries in Oklahoma
How much do RNs make in Oklahoma? The more than 32,000 RNs working in Oklahoma report a mean annual salary of $82,110, according to May 2023 BLS data.
Earning potential varies by work setting and location. Nationally, RNs who work in hospitals earn salaries slightly higher than the median, while those who work in ambulatory care or residential care facilities earn slightly less than the median.
In Oklahoma, Tulsa nurses report the highest average salary. In Tulsa, nurses earn a mean salary of $85,480 per year, while Oklahoma City reports an average nurse salary of $82,020.
Nurses in Oklahoma’s nonmetropolitan areas earn the highest salaries in Northeast Oklahoma, where the average pay reached $82,040 in May 2023. In the other regions, RNs earned an average of around $75,000 per year.
Demand for RNs in Oklahoma
Oklahoma projects growing demand for RNs over the next decade. According to Projections Central, the number of RN jobs will grow by 4.8% from 2022-2032. That means around 2,240 job openings annually for nurses in the state.
Demand in Oklahoma is largely in line with national trends. Across the United States, RNs will see 6% projected job growth from 2022-2032, according to the BLS. In particular, nurses who work with older adult populations and those with chronic conditions will see the highest demand. Nurses who work in hospitals and outpatient care centers provide same-day health services will also be affected.
Advance Your Career With a BSN From The University of Tulsa
If you’re an RN who wants to take on greater responsibilities, prepare for graduate school, and boost your earning potential, The University of Tulsa can help. The online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program uses a flexible format and takes as little as 24 months.
In the program, you’ll develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills as you develop nurse leadership skills. With a BSN, you can move into higher-paying leadership roles such as nurse case manager or unit manager. Reach out to TU today to learn how the RN to BSN program can advance your career.
Recommended Readings:
Advancement Opportunities for Registered Nurses in Oklahoma
Clinic vs. Hospital Nursing: Which One Should You Choose?
Financial Aid for Nursing Students: An Overview
Sources:
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Industry and Occupational Employment Projections
Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Oklahoma
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses
