Tulsa City Salaries Outpace State, County Pay Rates

Analysis shows municipal workers earn significantly more on average than teachers and other state-certified employees.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:28am

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An abstract composition of overlapping triangles and rectangles in shades of blue, green, and red, conceptually representing the economic differences in government employee compensation across different levels of Oklahoma's public sector.Visualizing the pay gap between Tulsa city workers and their state and county counterparts.Today in Tulsa

A recent analysis by the Tulsa World found that the average base pay for City of Tulsa employees is substantially higher than the next closest pay rate, which is for Oklahoma teachers and other state-certified personnel. The city's average employee salary exceeds the average salaries of both state and county government workers.

Why it matters

The significant pay gap between Tulsa city workers and state/county employees raises questions about the city's compensation structure and whether taxpayer funds are being used efficiently. It also highlights potential recruitment and retention challenges for the state and county as they struggle to compete with the city's higher salaries.

The details

The Tulsa World's analysis revealed that the average base pay for City of Tulsa employees is well above the average pay rate for Oklahoma teachers and other state-certified workers. This pay discrepancy extends to county government employees as well, with city workers earning significantly more on average.

  • The Tulsa World analysis was published on April 18, 2026.

The players

City of Tulsa

The local municipal government of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Department of Education

The state agency responsible for overseeing public education in Oklahoma, including setting pay scales for teachers and other certified personnel.

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What’s next

The findings of the Tulsa World analysis are likely to spur further scrutiny and debate over the city's employee compensation policies, especially in comparison to state and county pay rates.

The takeaway

The significant pay gap between Tulsa city workers and their state and county counterparts raises questions about the sustainability and fairness of the city's compensation structure, especially as it relates to the efficient use of taxpayer funds and the ability of the state and county to attract and retain qualified personnel.