H1B Jobs in Oklahoma: 2025 Employer & Salary Guide
Oklahoma's H1B job market is driven by oil and gas energy, aerospace and defense, and healthcare. Tulsa and Oklahoma City serve as dual economic hubs. The state files approximately 2,100 H1B LCA applications per year, with petroleum engineers, software engineers, and physicians representing the largest categories.
Top H1B Employers in Oklahoma
- • Devon Energy, Oklahoma City, petroleum engineering H1B
- • ConocoPhillips, Oklahoma City and Bartlesville operations
- • BOK Financial, Tulsa, banking technology H1B
- • American Airlines, Tulsa maintenance and operations
- • Spirit AeroSystems, Tulsa, aerospace manufacturing engineering
- • ONEOK, Tulsa, natural gas engineering
- • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
- • Integris Health, Oklahoma City healthcare H1B
- • Halliburton, Oklahoma City oil services
- • Laureate Education, online education, Oklahoma City
Top Cities for H1B Jobs in Oklahoma
- • Oklahoma City, energy, healthcare, government tech
- • Tulsa, aerospace, energy, finance
- • Norman, University of Oklahoma, weather research (NOAA)
- • Stillwater, Oklahoma State University research roles
- • Broken Arrow, aerospace manufacturing
- • Lawton, Fort Sill civilian engineering
- • Edmond, suburban OKC tech and healthcare
- • Muskogee, manufacturing
- • Enid, oil field services
- • Bartlesville, ConocoPhillips legacy presence
Most Common H1B Job Titles in Oklahoma
- • Petroleum Engineer, $110,000–$165,000
- • Aerospace/Manufacturing Engineer, $82,000–$118,000
- • Software Engineer, $95,000–$138,000
- • Physician/Surgeon, $200,000–$320,000
- • Data Analyst, $72,000–$98,000
- • Geoscientist, $95,000–$145,000
- • Electrical Engineer, $82,000–$112,000
- • Registered Nurse, $60,000–$78,000
Key Industries Sponsoring H1B in Oklahoma
Oil and gas exploration and production is Oklahoma's defining H1B industry, with Devon Energy, ConocoPhillips, and major oilfield services firms (Halliburton, Baker Hughes) sponsoring engineers. Tulsa is a significant aerospace manufacturing hub, Spirit AeroSystems builds fuselages for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families. Healthcare is growing rapidly, with OUHSC and Integris Health as primary sponsors. The American Airlines Tulsa Maintenance Base is the largest commercial aircraft maintenance facility in the world.
Tips for H1B Job Seekers in Oklahoma
- → Devon Energy and ConocoPhillips are top petroleum engineering H1B sponsors in Oklahoma City
- → Spirit AeroSystems in Tulsa sponsors H1B for aerospace manufacturing and quality engineers
- → NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman employs atmospheric scientists, some H1B roles
- → University of Oklahoma and OSU both sponsor H1B for research faculty and postdoctoral scientists
- → Cost of living in Tulsa and OKC is among the lowest in the US for major metro areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top H1B employers in Oklahoma?
Devon Energy, ConocoPhillips, Spirit AeroSystems, BOK Financial, American Airlines (Tulsa), and OUHSC are the top H1B employers in Oklahoma. Energy and aerospace dominate the engineering H1B landscape.
What is the H1B salary in Oklahoma?
Median H1B wages in Oklahoma are approximately $85,000. Petroleum engineers earn $110,000–$165,000. Software engineers at energy companies and healthcare systems earn $95,000–$138,000. Oklahoma's low cost of living makes these wages stretch further than national comparisons suggest.
Is Tulsa a good city for H1B workers?
Tulsa is consistently ranked as one of the most affordable major cities in the US. The aerospace (Spirit AeroSystems), energy (ONEOK), and healthcare sectors provide H1B opportunities. Tulsa has invested heavily in tech economic development, including George Kaiser Family Foundation initiatives.
Does the oil and gas industry sponsor H1B in Oklahoma?
Yes. Devon Energy, ConocoPhillips, Chesapeake Energy, and Continental Resources all sponsor H1B for petroleum engineers, geoscientists, and IT professionals in Oklahoma. The Anadarko Basin drilling activity drives significant engineering hiring.
Are there aerospace H1B jobs in Oklahoma?
Yes. Spirit AeroSystems in Tulsa employs thousands of aerospace engineers and sponsors H1B for manufacturing, quality, and design engineering roles. American Airlines' Tulsa maintenance base also employs avionics and systems engineers on H1B.