2018-2020 Critical Occupations - Oklahoma Works

These are Oklahoma’s top critical occupations. These occupations represent the most pressing needs in each of Oklahoma’s Driver and Complementary Economic Systems necessary for the state’s continued growth and economic prosperity. Learn more about the methodology, definitions and limitations of the Critical Occupations here.

Download the 2018-2020 Top Critical Occupations List

SOC	Description	2018 Jobs	2028 jobs	Change (2018-2028)	Median Hourly Earnings	Typical Entry Level Education	Work Experience Required	Typical On‐The‐Job Training	Certificate available for HS or Less	Annual Openings	Apr 2018 Unique Postings
29‐1069	Physicians and Surgeons, All Other	2,511	3,023	294	$105.76	Doctoral or professional degree	None	Internship/residency		108	546
29‐1021	Dentists, General	1,294	1,486	192	$65.78	Doctoral or professional degree	None	None		57	74
11‐9041	Architectural and Engineering Managers	2,191	2,114	110	$56.68	Bachelor's degree	5 years or more	None		153	157
17‐2171	Petroleum Engineers	2,673	2,860	172	$55.32	Bachelor's degree	None	None		204	69
19‐2042	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	1,040	1,180	97	$54.73	Bachelor's degree	None	None		113	12
29‐1041	Optometrists	671	831	152	$49.30	Doctoral or professional degree	None	None		38	8
29‐1071	Physician Assistants	1,452	1,762	278	$49.20	Master's degree	None	None		115	238
11‐3021	Computer and Information Systems Managers	3,264	3,561	315	$47.42	Bachelor's degree	5 years or more	None		277	115
11‐3031	Financial Managers	6,532	7,073	509	$43.58	Bachelor's degree	5 years or more	None		543	449
29‐1171	Nurse Practitioners	1,385	1,727	342	$43.36	Master's degree	None	None		109	221
17‐2071	Electrical Engineers	1,548	1,341	68	$41.40	Bachelor's degree	None	None		90	283
29‐1131	Veterinarians	984	1,115	117	$39.73	Doctoral or professional degree	None	None		50	47
29‐1123	Physical Therapists	2,014	2,544	511	$39.44	Doctoral or professional degree	None	None		143	572
15‐1132	Software Developers, Applications	4,801	4,923	494	$39.05	Bachelor's degree	None	None		345	1,030
17‐2112	Industrial Engineers	2,609	1,901	156	$38.60	Bachelor's degree	None	None		134	583
17‐2051	Civil Engineers	2,269	2,512	205	$38.15	Bachelor's degree	None	None		193	204
11‐1021	General and Operations Managers	27,503	29,825	2,167	$37.47	Bachelor's degree	5 years or more	None		2,523	1,066
17‐2141	Mechanical Engineers	3,037	2,704	134	$37.39	Bachelor's degree	None	None		182	390
11‐9111	Medical and Health Services Managers	5,899	6,585	426	$37.09	Bachelor's degree	Less than 5 years	None		532	491
17‐1011	Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	785	902	108	$36.77	Bachelor's degree	None	Internship/residency		73	12
15‐1121	Computer Systems Analysts	3,388	3,757	580	$36.73	Bachelor's degree	None	None		277	454
15‐1133	Software Developers, Systems Software	2,947	2,536	211	$35.78	Bachelor's degree	None	None		175	158
29‐2021	Dental Hygienists	2,050	2,385	329	$35.63	Associate's degree	None	None		166	51
11‐9021	Construction Managers	2,996	3,222	238	$35.55	Bachelor's degree	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		234	191
13‐1081	Logisticians	2,280	2,436	114	$35.28	Bachelor's degree	None	None		239	171
15‐1122	Information Security Analysts	675	707	71	$34.44	Bachelor's degree	Less than 5 years	None		52	197
13‐1111	Management Analysts	4,492	5,201	492	$33.84	Bachelor's degree	Less than 5 years	None		467	515
15‐1141	Database Administrators	943	1,000	75	$33.23	Bachelor's degree	None	None		68	91
17‐2081	Environmental Engineers	710	785	61	$32.38	Bachelor's degree	None	None		55	53
29‐2032	Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	926	1,096	170	$31.90	Associate's degree	None	None		69	40
29‐9011	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	1,363	1,502	86	$31.41	Bachelor's degree	None	None		83	66
13‐2051	Financial Analysts	1,780	1,883	205	$30.80	Bachelor's degree	None	None		169	114
15‐1142	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	2,897	3,019	170	$30.52	Bachelor's degree	None	None		196	577
17‐3023	Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians	1,510	1,549	22	$30.16	Associate's degree	None	None		136	151
29‐1127	Speech‐Language Pathologists	1,617	1,865	228	$30.00	Master's degree	None	Internship/residency		110	233
49‐1011	First‐Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	6,409	6,936	404	$29.91	High school diploma or equivalent	Less than 5 years	None	Certificate Available	609	440
29‐2035	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	330	373	43	$29.83	Associate's degree	Less than 5 years	None		23	41
13‐2052	Personal Financial Advisors	1,235	1,496	261	$29.72	Bachelor's degree	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training		127	102
13‐2011	Accountants and Auditors	14,926	17,050	2,066	$29.34	Bachelor's degree	None	None		1,603	797
17‐3026	Industrial Engineering Technicians	885	724	23	$29.04	Associate's degree	None	None		64	85
47‐1011	First‐Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	9,396	10,572	1,152	$28.94	High school diploma or equivalent	5 years or more	None	Certificate Available	1,072	190
29‐1141	Registered Nurses	27,389	30,633	2,558	$28.49	Associate's degree	None	None		1,751	5,483
15‐2031	Operations Research Analysts	827	928	179	$28.35	Bachelor's degree	None	None		67	62
13‐1051	Cost Estimators	1,901	2,060	234	$27.84	Bachelor's degree	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		210	62
19‐2041	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	478	570	76	$27.08	Bachelor's degree	None	None		56	15
13‐1023	Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products	3,883	3,849	76	$27.07	Bachelor's degree	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		338	224
13‐1022	Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products	1,301	1,402	109	$27.00	Bachelor's degree	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		162	11
29‐2011	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists	2,041	2,348	253	$26.82	Bachelor's degree	None	None		164	170
13‐2061	Financial Examiners	429	549	58	$26.52	Bachelor's degree	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training		44	15
53‐1031	First‐Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material‐Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators	2,972	3,230	230	$26.03	High school diploma or equivalent	Less than 5 years	None	Certificate Available	340	828
19‐4041	Geological and Petroleum Technicians	1,302	1,406	104	$25.92	Associate's degree	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		148	10
29‐1031	Dietitians and Nutritionists	741	848	83	$25.92	Bachelor's degree	None	Internship/residency		57	48
13‐2072	Loan Officers	4,222	4,674	409	$25.61	Bachelor's degree	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		402	206
51‐1011	First‐Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	8,589	8,382	177	$25.56	High school diploma or equivalent	Less than 5 years	None	Certificate Available	831	604
47‐5012	Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas	1,989	2,114	125	$25.29	No formal educational credential	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		268	21
29‐1126	Respiratory Therapists	1,149	1,248	94	$25.11	Associate's degree	None	None		66	148
17‐3022	Civil Engineering Technicians	719	762	43	$25.08	Associate's degree	None	None		69	30
49‐9051	Electrical Power‐Line Installers and Repairers	2,175	2,498	312	$24.81	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	218	24
13‐2041	Credit Analysts	615	676	62	$24.36	Bachelor's degree	None	None		58	33
15‐1134	Web Developers	943	1,096	157	$24.34	Associate's degree	None	None		86	502
13‐1151	Training and Development Specialists	2,902	3,032	175	$24.32	Bachelor's degree	Less than 5 years	None		298	288
29‐2034	Radiologic Technologists	2,321	2,512	139	$24.22	Associate's degree	None	None		144	170
49‐9041	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	4,691	5,528	959	$23.66	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	526	197
47‐2111	Electricians	6,658	7,631	995	$23.47	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Apprenticeship	Certificate Available	887	193
47‐5011	Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas	1,153	1,254	101	$23.17	No formal educational credential	None	Short‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	158	0
47‐2152	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	6,439	7,299	818	$22.23	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Apprenticeship	Certificate Available	795	87
19‐4031	Chemical Technicians	557	590	38	$22.07	Associate's degree	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		58	32
47‐4011	Construction and Building Inspectors	1,688	1,904	189	$21.81	High school diploma or equivalent	5 years or more	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		211	37
49‐9021	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	3,421	3,964	531	$21.11	Postsecondary nondegree award	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training		406	140
49‐3042	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	1,915	2,109	149	$20.90	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	207	50
47‐5013	Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining	3,281	3,432	151	$20.54	No formal educational credential	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training		437	136
51‐4041	Machinists	6,066	5,653	250	$20.07	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	596	224
33‐3051	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	7,866	9,314	1,386	$19.77	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	687	38
15‐1151	Computer User Support Specialists	7,899	8,244	360	$19.69	Some college, no degree	None	None		621	896
49‐9043	Maintenance Workers, Machinery	2,777	2,956	211	$19.64	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	309	0
25‐2031	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	11,338	11,576	238	$19.61	Bachelor's degree	None	None		833	320
25‐2022	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	7,250	7,411	161	$19.37	Bachelor's degree	None	None		548	82
33‐2011	Firefighters	3,656	4,425	736	$19.34	Postsecondary nondegree award	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training		339	9
53‐3032	Heavy and Tractor‐Trailer Truck Drivers	24,021	26,425	2,426	$19.28	Postsecondary nondegree award	None	Short‐term on‐the‐job training		2,928	17,573
49‐3031	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	2,847	3,254	393	$19.16	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	309	484
51‐4121	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	9,334	9,583	329	$19.07	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	1,045	281
25‐2052	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	2,140	2,192	52	$18.94	Bachelor's degree	None	None		162	61
25‐2021	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	16,151	16,515	364	$18.67	Bachelor's degree	None	None		1,221	799
29‐2061	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	11,306	11,995	469	$18.64	Postsecondary nondegree award	None	None		893	586
51‐9061	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	5,881	5,261	257	$18.07	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	638	219
49‐3021	Automotive Body and Related Repairers	1,672	1,830	157	$18.06	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	182	30
47‐2073	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	6,184	7,102	900	$17.95	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	815	65
51‐4011	Computer‐Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic	3,197	3,083	309	$17.69	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	322	85
17‐3025	Environmental Engineering Technicians	349	372	26	$17.57	Associate's degree	None	None		33	9
47‐2031	Carpenters	5,070	5,533	468	$17.42	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Apprenticeship	Certificate Available	526	78
29‐2031	Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	599	691	92	$16.59	Associate's degree	None	None		43	126
51‐8031	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	2,059	2,372	314	$15.38	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training		215	36
29‐2012	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians	2,201	2,583	339	$14.99	Associate's degree	None	None		183	87
29‐2056	Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	906	1,121	211	$14.98	Associate's degree	None	None		101	38
53‐3033	Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers	9,111	9,687	592	$14.75	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Short‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	1,051	2,263
19‐4091	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	371	403	31	$14.41	Associate's degree	None	None		48	105
29‐2052	Pharmacy Technicians	5,248	5,646	319	$13.98	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	462	367
29‐2081	Opticians, Dispensing	853	1,074	221	$13.71	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Long‐term on‐the‐job training		90	6
29‐2041	Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics	3,571	4,409	837	$13.23	Postsecondary nondegree award	None	None		324	105
53‐3021	Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	1,074	1,245	170	$13.05	High school diploma or equivalent	None	Moderate‐term on‐the‐job training	Certificate Available	157	36
Source: EMSI 2018.2