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How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Oklahoma? (2026)

State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Oklahoma.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026
Data current as of March 2026 Sources: IRS Publication 15, SSA COLA notices, State Workforce Agencies

Hiring a $60,000/year employee in Oklahoma costs employers approximately $65,715 total in 2026, including $5,715 in mandatory payroll taxes and workers' comp. That's a 1.1x multiplier on base salary.

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Total Cost at $60K Salary

$65,715

Cost multiplier: 1.1x

SUTA Rate (Mid)

1.5%

Wage base: $25,000

Workers' Comp Rate

1.18%

Has state income tax

Key Insight

For a $60,000 salary in Oklahoma, employers pay $5,715 in mandatory taxes — a 1.1x cost multiplier. Oklahoma's SUTA rate (1.5%) is below the national average of 1.70%.

Model your specific hire

Use our interactive calculator pre-loaded with Oklahoma's tax rates. Adjust salary, benefits, and overhead to get your true cost.

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Oklahoma Employer Tax Details

State-specific payroll obligations for employers

SUTA Rate Range 0.1% – 5.5%
SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) 1.5%
SUTA Wage Base $25,000
Workers' Compensation (avg) 1.18% of payroll
State Income Tax Yes

Example Employer Costs in Oklahoma

Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)

Component $40,000 Salary $60,000 Salary $80,000 Salary
Social Security (6.2%) $2,480 $3,720 $4,960
Medicare (1.45%) $580 $870 $1,160
FUTA $42 $42 $42
SUTA (OK) $375 $375 $375
Workers' Comp $472 $708 $944
Total Employer Taxes $3,949 $5,715 $7,481
Total Cost (salary + taxes) $43,949 (1.1x) $65,715 (1.1x) $87,481 (1.09x)

These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.

Tax rates sourced from IRS Publication 15, SSA COLA notices, and Oklahoma Department of Labor. Social Security tax is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500. Medicare is 1.45% with no wage cap. FUTA is 0.6% on the first $7,000 after credit.

How Oklahoma Compares

Oklahoma's typical SUTA rate of 1.5% is below the national average of ~1.70%. However, with a wage base of $25,000, which is well above the federal minimum of $7,000, the effective SUTA cost per employee can be significant.

Workers' compensation at 1.18% of payroll is below the national average of ~1.20%.

Oklahoma Employer Environment

Below-average employer costs
  • State income tax applies — factor into total compensation packages
  • SUTA rate 1.5% (wage base $25,000) — in line with national average
  • Workers' comp rate 1.18% — near national average, varies by industry classification

Oklahoma's overall employer tax burden is broadly in line with the national average. Review SUTA and workers' comp rates relative to your industry classification for a more precise picture.

OK

Oklahoma Employment Profile

Oklahoma has a moderate $25,000 SUTA wage base and reasonable workers' compensation costs, with no paid family leave mandate, making it competitive for regional operations.

Top Industries

oil & gas (Devon Energy HQ), aerospace & aviation, agriculture

Employer Note

Oklahoma's aerospace maintenance and repair industry is one of the largest MRO centers in North America; American Airlines' Tulsa facility employs thousands of skilled trades workers.

Cost at Different Salary Levels in Oklahoma

Total employer cost including all mandatory payroll taxes

Salary Total Cost Multiplier
$30,000 $33,066 1.1x
$40,000 $43,949 1.1x
$50,000 $54,832 1.1x
$60,000 $65,715 1.1x
$75,000 $82,040 1.09x
$100,000 $109,247 1.09x
$125,000 $136,455 1.09x
$150,000 $163,662 1.09x

Compare Oklahoma With

vs California vs Texas vs New York vs Florida vs Illinois vs Georgia

Hiring Cost by Industry in Oklahoma

Workers' comp rates vary significantly by industry — restaurant and construction workers cost far more to insure than office staff.

Restaurant WC 2.95% of payroll Retail WC 1.53% of payroll Technology WC 0.3% of payroll Healthcare WC 1.65% of payroll Construction WC 4.72% of payroll Manufacturing WC 3.54% of payroll Professional Services WC 0.33% of payroll

Average Wages by Occupation in Oklahoma

BLS OEWS 2024

Median annual wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — use these as your baseline salary when estimating total hiring cost.

Occupation Group Median Annual Employed
Management $95,250 97,820
Architecture and Engineering $86,940 26,710
Computer and Mathematical $80,540 38,800
Legal $78,650 12,020
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical $76,160 105,840
Business and Financial Operations $70,630 96,140
Life, Physical, and Social Science $70,090 11,330
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair $51,340 90,170
At the median computer and mathematical salary of $80,540, total employer cost in Oklahoma is approximately $88,069 — about 9% above base salary.
See all occupations in Oklahoma →

States With Similar Hiring Costs

These states have SUTA rates close to Oklahoma's 1.5% — good for cost benchmarking.

New Hampshire
SUTA 1.5%
Indiana
SUTA 1.5%
Delaware
SUTA 1.5%
Louisiana
SUTA 1.5%
Rhode Island
SUTA 1.5%

Oklahoma Business Resources

Employee Cost Calculator

Pre-filled for Oklahoma — customize salary and benefits

1099 vs W-2 Calculator

Is a contractor cheaper than a W-2 employee? Find the break-even rate.

Salary to Hourly in Oklahoma

Convert annual salary to hourly with Oklahoma payroll taxes

Form an LLC in Oklahoma

Step-by-step LLC formation guide

Specialized Calculators for Oklahoma Employers

Running a specific type of business? These tools go deeper on costs by industry and location.

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Franchise Budget Calculator

franchisebudget.com — franchise startup cost estimator

Simplify Payroll in Oklahoma

These providers handle tax calculations, filings, and compliance automatically.

Gusto Payroll

All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR. Automatically calculates and files federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
ADP Payroll

Payroll and tax filing for businesses of all sizes with built-in state-specific compliance.
Paychex HR & Payroll

Payroll, HR, and benefits in one platform. Handles multi-state employment and tax filings.

Some links may be affiliate links. CostCrunch may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Compare all 8 payroll software options →

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Calculate Your Exact Employee Cost

Use our interactive calculator with your specific salary, state, and benefits to get an exact number.

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Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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