Tulsa, OK
A city boasting a rich history and bright future, Tulsa is located in Northeastern Oklahoma and has been drawing eager workers to its industries for years. With a population of over just 400,000 people, Tulsa is known for its oil industry and has a thriving economy with many employment opportunities. Because of this, combined with its relatively low cost of living and high quality of life, it’s no wonder that skilled workers and their families are flocking to Tulsa to live, work, and play.
As a Tulsa employer, you’re probably familiar with the city’s expanding job market. However, adapting to the influx of new workers can be challenging. That’s where AMH Nationwide can help.
Why Oklahoma’s Job Market Is Exploding
Despite the slowing economy, Oklahoma’s job market is booming, with the state adding over 35,000 jobs in the past year.1 While the national average unemployment rate now sits around 3.9%, Oklahoma’s overall unemployment rate is much lower, at just 3.2%. This is good news for job seekers, as more businesses are opening up and hiring new employees.
As one of the state’s thriving cities, Tulsa is no exception to this trend. The city has added over 7,000 jobs in the past year, leaving it with an unemployment rate of just 3.3%.2
While other states are struggling to expand their job markets and offer workers better opportunities, Tulsa is pushing ahead, drawing even more workers to the city in search of quality jobs and a higher quality of life.
Besides the employment opportunities, one of the main reasons people are flocking to Tulsa is the low cost of living. On top of having access to new, competitive jobs, new residents can also benefit from cheaper accommodation and better amenities. Excellent schools, a vibrant arts scene, and plenty of outdoor activities make the city a great destination for both young professionals and those relocating with their families. Tulsa has also been recognized as one of the most livable cities in the U.S., making it particularly popular among workers looking to enjoy a healthy work-life balance.
Employment Statistics for Tulsa and Oklahoma
Tulsa’s economy is diverse, with employment spread across various industries. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest industries in Tulsa are trade, transportation, and utilities, followed by education and health services, and professional and business services.
In terms of job growth, the fastest-growing industries in Tulsa are construction, mining and logging, and leisure and hospitality. These industries have seen significant growth in the past year, which is good news for job seekers in each of these sectors.
Some of the major industries seeing job growth include:3
| Industry | Employment | YoY Growth |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 323,900 | 0.6% |
| Education and Health Services | 246,900 | 3.4% |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 182,100 | 7.0% |
| Professional and Business Services | 205,100 | 2.3% |
| Manufacturing | 135,100 | 2.7% |
| Government | 352,300 | 1.0% |
| Construction | 83,000 | 4.8% |
| Financial Activities | 81,500 | 1.4% |
| Information | 17,700 | 1.1% |
| Mining and Logging | 31,700 | 7.1% |
| Other Services | 67,100 | 1.2% |
Ranked as having the seventh strongest metro economy in the country, Tulsa is home to the headquarters of a variety of countries in the energy, finance, technology, manufacturing, and aerospace industries. Another industry worth noting is undoubtedly healthcare, which employs more than 30,000 Tulsa residents.
Thanks to this gradual growth in job opportunities, Tulsa has managed to push down its unemployment rate, even if only in increments.
The unemployment statistics for Tulsa from October 2022 to March 2023 are outlined below:
| October 2022 | March 2023 | ||||||
| Labor Force | Employment | Unemployment | Rate | Labor Force | Employment | Unemployment | Rate |
| 485,800 | 470,300 | 15,500 | 3.2% | 493,700 | 479,100 | 14,700 | 3.0% |
Why Employers Need to Adapt
As the job market in Tulsa continues to grow, businesses must adapt their hiring practices to attract and retain top talent. With unemployment rates currently low and competition for skilled workers on the rise, employers must be proactive in their efforts to recruit and onboard new employees.
One of the biggest challenges that businesses face when hiring new employees is the onboarding process. With so much to do in a short amount of time, onboarding can become overwhelming and stressful for both employers and new hires. This is why finding ways to streamline these processes is crucial to ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for everyone involved.
The Pre-Employment Drug Testing Bottleneck
One area of the onboarding process that can cause delays is pre-employment drug testing. In many industries, drug testing is mandatory. Even when it’s not, many businesses choose to implement drug testing policies to ensure a safe and drug-free workplace.
In Oklahoma, pre-employment drug testing is not required but is still regularly carried out by many businesses. The benefits of a drug-free workplace are numerous, including happier employees, fewer workplace accidents, increased productivity, and a better reputation.
However, drug screening can cause an onboarding bottleneck, slowing down the hiring process and making it difficult to fill open positions with quality employees. This is why businesses need to find ways to make job candidate drug testing as efficient as possible.
Keep Your Workplace Drug-Free with AMH Nationwide
AMH Nationwide is a leading provider of drug testing services for businesses in Tulsa and throughout the United States. With a wide range of testing options and a commitment to customer satisfaction, AMH Nationwide is the perfect partner for businesses looking to create and maintain a drug-free workplace.
AMH Nationwide offers a variety of testing options, including urine, hair, and oral fluid testing.
Our testing methods are accurate, reliable, and fast, ensuring that businesses can quickly and easily test their employees for drugs and other substances.
By partnering with AMH Nationwide, you won’t just receive access to high-quality drug-testing abilities in Tulsa and the rest of Oklahoma; you’ll be working with a business that understands the importance of delivering results fast and on time.
To learn more about how we can help you streamline your onboarding process and manage employee screenings more efficiently, get in touch today.