How Oklahoma compares
Ranked against the other 49 states on the figures we hold. Rates that combine state and local components — sales tax, the minimum wage where it varies by region — are shown on this page but not ranked, because a single number would misstate them.
| Figure | OK | Nationally | In its region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationUS Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates, July 1, 2025 | 4,123,288 | 28th highest of 50 | 3 of 4 |
| GDP ($bn)Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025 | 274.4 | 32nd highest of 50 | 3 of 4 |
| Median household incomeUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | $66,148 | 45th highest of 50 | 4 of 4 |
| Unemployment rateBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), September 2026 | 4.2% | tied 32nd lowest of 50 | 1 of 4 |
| Foreign-born shareUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | 6.6% | 30th highest of 50 | 4 of 4 |
| Property tax ratechecked Nov 2026; confirm with the Oklahoma legislature | 0.90% | tied 26th lowest of 50 | 3 of 4 |
| Deposit return window (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Oklahoma legislature | 30 | tied 15th lowest of 50 | 2 of 4 |
| Eviction notice (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Oklahoma legislature | 5 | tied 23rd highest of 50 | 1 of 4 |
| Final pay deadline (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Oklahoma legislature | 0 | tied 1st lowest of the 29 states that set one | 1 of 4 |
- State income tax: yes41 of 50 states answer the same way
- At-will employment: yesthe same in all 50 states — it does not set Oklahoma apart
- Paid sick leave required: no30 of 50 states answer the same way
- Paid family leave: no38 of 50 states answer the same way
- Workers' comp required: yes49 of 50 states answer the same way
- Rent control permitted: no46 of 50 states answer the same way
- Annual report required: yes43 of 50 states answer the same way
Statistical figures: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025) · US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (2024) · Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) · Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary) (September 2026) · SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profiles (2025). Tax, wage, business and tenancy figures are recorded from state sources and were last checked on 2026-11-05 — confirm anything you are about to act on with the Oklahoma legislature.
What's changing in Oklahoma
Enacted changes with a fixed effective date. Contracts, payroll and leases signed now may run past these dates.
Took effect in the last 12 months
- January 1, 2026Top income tax rate cut to 4.5% (from 4.75%)
HB 2764. A $15 minimum wage ballot question (SQ 832) failed on June 16, 2026.
Source ↗
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
How long you have in Oklahoma
The periods that decide whether something is on time. Days are calendar days unless the underlying rule says otherwise.
- Return a security deposit within
- 30 days
- Eviction notice before filing
- 5 days
- Final paycheck within
- 0 days
- LLC formation processed in
- 3–5 days
- Annual report due
- Annually by the anniversary month
- Overtime starts after
- 40 hrs/week (FLSA)
AI Legal Insights — Oklahoma
AI-generated · Updated July 2026
Oklahoma operates under a dual court system consisting of state and federal jurisdictions, with the Oklahoma Supreme Court serving as the highest court for state matters. The state follows common law principles and has specific statutes governing landlord-tenant relations and consumer protection through the Attorney General's office.
Oklahoma offers a competitive business environment characterized by low corporate tax burdens and a strong presence in energy, aerospace, and agriculture. While the regulatory environment is generally business-friendly, entrepreneurs must navigate various local sales tax layers that are added to the state's 4.5% base rate.
The immigrant population in Oklahoma is relatively small at 6.6%, with many concentrated in urban centers like Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The state does not have sanctuary city policies, and immigration-related matters are primarily managed through federal USCIS offices located within the state.
- ›Ensure all real estate contracts comply with the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to avoid unlawful eviction claims.
- ›Include a clear choice-of-law clause specifying Oklahoma law to avoid jurisdictional disputes in local courts.
- ›Verify that any<pad><pad><pad> contract involving<pad><pad><pad><pad><pad> de facto employment complies with Oklahoma's at-will employment doctrine and wage payment statutes.
AI-generated insights · Verify with a licensed attorney before relying on this information.
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Employment Laws
Oklahoma labor regulations
Oklahoma is an at-will employment state that follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr. A ballot measure to raise the minimum wage to $15 (State Question 832) failed on June 16, 2026, so the rate stays at $7.25. The state does not mandate paid sick leave or paid family leave. Energy, aerospace and defense, agriculture, and healthcare are major employers.
| Law | OK Rule | Federal Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr (follows federal rate; SQ 832 for $15 failed in June 2026) | $7.25/hr |
| Overtime | After 40 hrs/week at 1.5× rate (follows FLSA) | FLSA: after 40 hrs/week |
| Paid Sick Leave | None required by state law | None (federal) |
| Paid Family Leave | No state program | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid |
| Workers Comp | Required for most employers with employees; limited exemptions apply | No general federal mandate |
| At-Will Employment | Yes — with limited public-policy exceptions | Default nationwide |
| Final Paycheck | By the next regular payday after separation | No federal requirement |
| Meal Breaks | No requirement for adults; minors under 16 get a 30-min break after 5 consecutive hours | No federal requirement |
| Non-Compete Agreements | Generally void for employees; agreements not to directly solicit the employer's established customers are allowed | No federal ban |
- State law prohibits cities and counties from setting a local minimum wage above the state rate.
- The Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and other protected characteristics.
- Oklahoma's workers' compensation system was overhauled in 2013 and moved most claims to an administrative process instead of the courts.
- The Oklahoma Protection of Labor Act limits deductions from wages and requires regular, timely payment of earned wages.
- Oklahoma is restrictive on non-competes: agreements that bar a former employee from working in their field are generally unenforceable, though narrower non-solicitation agreements can be enforced.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table · state labor agencies (checked Nov 2026)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Oklahoma rental regulations
The Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs most residential leases. There is no statutory cap on security deposits, which must be held in an escrow account and returned with an itemized list of deductions after the tenancy ends and the tenant makes a written demand. Non-payment of rent requires a 5-day notice before the landlord can file for eviction. There is no rent control.
| Topic | OK Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit | No statutory cap; must be held in an escrow account at a federally insured financial institution |
| Deposit Return | Returned with a written itemization of deductions after the tenancy ends and the tenant makes a written demand; a tenant who does not demand it within 6 months may forfeit it |
| Rent Control | None in Oklahoma |
| Eviction Notice (Non-Payment) | 5-day written notice to pay or quit |
| Eviction Notice (Lease Violation) | Written notice giving 10 days to fix the breach; if it is not fixed, the lease can end 15 days after notice |
| Eviction Process | Landlord files a forcible entry and detainer case in district court after the notice period; only a court order can remove the tenant |
| Habitability | Landlord must keep the premises fit and habitable; if a material defect is not fixed within 14 days of written notice, the tenant may end the lease, and minor defects can be repaired and deducted up to a small statutory limit |
| Landlord Entry | At least 1 day's notice for non-emergency entry, at reasonable times |
| Late Fee | Permitted if specified in the lease; courts may refuse to enforce unreasonable late fees |
Both landlords and tenants have enforceable rights under Oklahoma law. Document all communications and keep copies of your lease agreement. Use AI review to spot risky clauses before signing.
Starting a Business
Oklahoma LLC formation guide
Oklahoma has low business costs: a 4% corporate income tax, personal income tax rates of 2.5%–4.5% for 2026, and below-average property taxes. LLC formation costs $100, and the annual certificate costs $25. Oklahoma City and Tulsa anchor aerospace, energy, logistics, and technology employers, and the state's central location supports distribution businesses.
Step-by-step LLC formation
- 1Choose a business name — must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company"; check availability with the Oklahoma Secretary of State
- 2File Articles of Organization with the Oklahoma Secretary of State online or by mail
- 3Pay the $100 filing fee
- 4Designate a registered agent with a physical Oklahoma address
- 5Get an EIN from the IRS — free at irs.gov; required for banking, hiring, and tax registration
- 6Register with the Oklahoma Tax Commission for sales tax and employer withholding as applicable
- 7File the annual certificate each year by the anniversary of formation — $25 fee
- 8Open a business bank account using your EIN and formation documents
- 9Research Oklahoma incentives such as the Quality Jobs Program for qualifying employers
Every LLC also needs a free EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4). Apply online at irs.gov — takes about 15 minutes and is required to open a business bank account.
Popular IRS Forms
Most-filed federal forms for Oklahoma taxpayers
Fill these out online with plain-English guidance — every field explained, no accountant required. Download as a ready-to-file PDF when done.
The main annual federal income tax return every taxpayer files.
Fill out free →Give your SSN or EIN to a client before getting paid as a contractor.
Fill out free →Report $600+ paid to independent contractors during the year.
Fill out free →Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from pay.
Fill out free →Report income and expenses from a sole proprietorship or LLC.
Fill out free →Report payroll taxes withheld from employees each quarter.
Fill out free →Get an automatic 6-month extension to file your 1040.
Fill out free →The year-end wage statement employers issue to each employee.
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Federal Offices
United States government offices in Oklahoma
Walk-in assistance by appointment only. Call (844) 545-5640 to schedule, or book online at irs.gov.
Immigration appointments via my.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283.
Free Legal Aid
Oklahoma legal assistance organizations
These organizations provide free or reduced-cost civil legal services to qualifying Oklahoma residents.
Before your consultation: upload your document for a free AI risk scan — understand the key issues before meeting an attorney.
Free AI contract review →Latest Tax & Business News
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Oklahoma legal & business FAQ
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