Average RN Salary in Oklahoma: See How Much OK Nurses Make
Updated June 16, 2023 · 4 Min Read
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Oklahoma offers both quiet countryside living and the amenities of city life for those considering working in the state. This guide to registered nurse (RN) salaries in Oklahoma includes the salary information you need to negotiate an offer or compare income potential across states.
Keep reading for more on typical RN salaries in Oklahoma, local cost of living, and how other nursing position salaries compare.
- Average Oklahoma RN Salary: $68,180 (Ranks 41st among all states)
- Hourly Oklahoma RN Salary: $32.78
- Projected Oklahoma RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 9.1%
Source: BLS, Projections Central
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Average RN Salaries in Oklahoma
The average RN salary in Oklahoma is $68,180, with an hourly wage of $32.78. For comparison, the average RN annual salary in Kansas is $66,560, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The national median RN salary is $77,600, compared to the median $62,170 RN salary in Oklahoma. Half of all RN salaries in Oklahoma range from $60,320 to $77,630. While these salaries are low by national standards, Oklahoma's lower cost of living offsets this factor.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| 25% | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| 50% (Median) | $62,170 | $29.89 |
| 75% | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| 90% | $79,940 | $38.43 |
Source: BLS
Oklahoma RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
Oklahoma ranks 44th in affordable living across the country, with a cost-of-living index of 91.3. This means that certain standard expenses, including housing, food, transportation, and entertainment, cost 8.7% less in Oklahoma than in the U.S. as a whole, with a national index of 100.
Adjusted for cost of living, Oklahoma RN salaries rise to $74,112. However, this still leaves the average RN salary in Oklahoma ranking 41st among all states.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $74,112 (Ranks 41st among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 91.3 (8.7% less than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Oklahoma
In addition to the local Vance Air Force Base, the two largest healthcare employers in Enid are Integris Bass Baptist Health Center (which started as a hospital and nursing school) and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.
Oklahoma City, the capital, hosts a metropolitan population of approximately 1.4 million and includes many health systems, such as another Integris Health facility, Mercy Health Center, and Oklahoma University Medicine.
Tulsa, Oklahoma's second-largest city, has diversified from its past dependence on energy. Saint Francis Health System, St. John Medical Center, and Hillcrest Health System are among its largest healthcare providers. Lawton makes up the smallest metropolitan area, with less than 150,000 people.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Enid, OK | $70,070 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $69,930 |
| Tulsa, OK | $68,13 |
| Lawton, OK | $64,020 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Oklahoma
Both nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) earn significantly less than the average RN salary in Oklahoma. At $27,850 annually, LPNs/LVNs also make less than the state average salary of $48,360 across all jobs. Becoming an RN can improve this salary.
For RNs seeking higher pay, earning a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) can lead to a career as a nurse anesthetist. Either a DNP or a master's of science in nursing are the prerequisite to become a nurse practitioner.
- Nursing Assistants: $27,850
- LPN/LVNs: $44,910
- Nurse Practitioners: $116,650
- Nurse Anesthetists: $181,660
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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