Healthcare is one of the largest employing industries in Tulsa, second only to office and administrative support. 10.3% of employees work jobs in the Tulsa healthcare industry. Are you interested in becoming one of them?
Jobs in the healthcare industry offer a lot of advantages. The best Tulsa healthcare jobs pay well, offer high job growth, and provide ample employment opportunities. Plus, caring for patients is an incredibly rewarding career.
If you recently moved to Tulsa or are looking for a career change, you may wonder about the best roles to apply for. We created this guide to help you discover the right job for your background and goals.
Are you ready to find the Tulsa healthcare industry career of your dreams? Keep reading this article to learn about job descriptions, pay, and outlook for the top healthcare jobs in Oklahoma.
What Are the Best Tulsa Healthcare Jobs?
Healthcare jobs in Tulsa are divided between support roles and practitioner and tech positions. The top ten healthcare employers in Tulsa include:
- Saint Francis Health System
- The Oklahoma State University Medical Center
- CareATC
- Seed Technologies
- Hillcrest Health System
- Community Health Connections
- Oklahoma Methodist Manor
- KidneyCare Oklahoma
- Senior Star
- The Mental Health Association of Oklahoma
Below, we discuss some of the most common healthcare job roles in the Tulsa, OK job market.
Certified Caregivers
Certified caregivers include home health and personal care aides. These individuals help people with chronic diseases and disabilities perform daily tasks like dressing, eating, and toileting.
The state of Oklahoma employs nearly 17,000 workers in this industry. They earn an annual mean wage of $24,680. High-paid certified caregivers earn more than $30,000 per year.
Working as a certified caregiver also offers room for growth. This field is projected to grow 25% over the next five years. That is over 20 times greater than the state’s overall job growth rate of 1.5%.
CNAs
Certified nursing assistants are similar to certified caregivers. The difference is that CNAs work in long-term care facilities like nursing homes. These professionals may also work in general and specialty hospitals.
Oklahoma employs more than 16,000 CNAs, and many of them work in Tulsa. These professionals make an average annual wage of over $30,000. Top-earning CNAs can make more than $35,000 per year.
Nursing aides, in general, will see 5% job growth over the next ten years. That is about on track with the national average.
Med-Techs
Medical technicians may work in many types of roles. Most commonly, these professionals work as lab technologists. They work in clinics and hospitals processing lab tests that help with the diagnosis of diseases and disorders.
Nearly 4,000 people work as lab technicians in Oklahoma. These professionals bring in an average of $47,580 per year. Advancing your career can help you earn even more, with the top 10% of lab techs earning $71,000 or more.
Experts project that jobs in the lab tech field will grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the national average.
LPNs
Licensed practical nurses work in all kinds of healthcare settings. They care for people admitted to inpatient care. Some LPNs also work in outpatient settings, such as clinics, behavioral health centers, and surgery centers.
With so many employment options, it is no wonder over 12,000 people work as LPNs in Oklahoma. The average annual wage for this role is $48,090. Top-earning LPNs can bring in over $58,000 per year.
If you work in this field, you can expect to see 6% growth over the next decade.
RNs
Registered nurses work in one of the highest-paid nursing professions. They undergo advanced schooling and licensing requirements. RNs do not require supervision and can work in their own nursing practices.
Oklahoma is home to 30,320 RNs who make an average annual salary of nearly $77,000. With career development, you can earn even more. The top 90th percentile of registered nurses in Oklahoma brings in over $97,520 per year.
The registered nursing field will grow 6% nationally by 2031. Many of these jobs will open up in Oklahoma.
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists are specialized healthcare professionals. They work with patients who have breathing disorders like asthma and COPD. The top employers of these professionals are hospitals and nursing care facilities.
This is a growing field in Oklahoma, employing 1,770 people across the state. Oklahoma respiratory therapists earn a mean annual salary of over $67,000. But high-paying professionals can make more than $83,000 per year.
Jobs in this field are opening up fast, too. The BLS projects that jobs in the healthcare industry will grow at a rate of 14% between now and 2031.
Allied Health Professionals
The allied health professional field encompasses a variety of jobs, including:
- Doctors
- Physical therapists
- Imaging specialists
- Dietitians
- Mental health professionals
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Physician assistants
Allied Tulsa healthcare jobs pay differently depending on the role. The median wage for all healthcare practitioner roles is $75,040. This is only a median, meaning some people make more than $75,000 while others make less.
Optometrists, physicians, surgeons, and podiatrists earn the most. Annual wages for these positions range from $124,000 to more than $208,000, with physicians and surgeons at the top end of that range.
In addition to good salaries, individuals who work in allied health professions can expect future job growth. The BLS projects that the industry will grow 13% from 2021 to 2031.
Searching for Tulsa Jobs in the Healthcare Industry?
Jobs in the healthcare industry offer a lot of benefits for your career development. You can earn more and enjoy future job growth in Tulsa. But first, you have to find the perfect job for you.
Are you looking for a new healthcare job in Tulsa, OK? Nextaff is Tulsa’s expert in staffing and recruiting for a variety of top industries. Use our convenient online platform to find your next job today!
