Oklahoma: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #33 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 3,959,353.
Oklahoma ranks #33 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (44.9). Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest risk at 32.9 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 64.9 (High). The 32.0-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 221,633 jobs.
Oklahoma: 44.9 Average Entry Risk
Oklahoma at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Oklahoma
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Oklahoma.
Entry Risk by Industry in Oklahoma
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Oklahoma. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Oklahoma Industry Data: 99,223 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 32.9 | #12/51 | 10,344 | 99,433 | $50,400 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 35.0 | #20/51 | 8,788 | 162,747 | $22,224 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 40.2 | #18/51 | 2,905 | 17,350 | $77,716 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 40.6 | #19/51 | 7,080 | 39,429 | $46,713 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 42.0 | #30/51 | 5,155 | 22,775 | $55,447 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 45.4 | #43/51 | 18,169 | 83,947 | $81,679 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 46.3 | #35/51 | 13,747 | 185,098 | $36,725 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 49.7 | #41/51 | 13,489 | 221,633 | $59,398 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 52.2 | #39/51 | 11,174 | 86,068 | $66,390 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 64.9 | #48/51 | 8,372 | 59,338 | $84,187 |
Largest Industries in Oklahoma by Employment
Metro Markets in Oklahoma
4 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Oklahoma Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Oklahoma: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Oklahoma's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Oklahoma averages 44.9 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #33 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Oklahoma?
Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest entry risk in Oklahoma at 32.9 (Moderate). It employs 99,433 workers across 10,344 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Oklahoma?
Finance and Insurance posts Oklahoma's highest entry risk at 64.9 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Oklahoma?
99,223 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Oklahoma, employing 977,818 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Oklahoma's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Oklahoma with 221,633 jobs across 13,489 establishments and an entry risk score of 49.7.