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If the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program is not reauthorized by Congress by January 1, 2026, the Oklahoma State Workforce Agency will continue to accept WOTC applications submitted in accordance with federal timelines. Applications received during a lapse in authorization will be retained in our system; however, eligibility determinations and certifications cannot be issued until the program is reauthorized. Employers should continue to complete required WOTC forms at the time of hire and submit applications within 28 days of the employee’s start date.

Additional updates will be posted as federal guidance becomes available.

View WOTC Hiatus FAQs.

Current Labor Market Conditions

Employment vs. Unemployment

December 2025: Oklahoma's unemployment rate moved up to a seasonally adjusted 3.6 percent while nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 100 jobs (0.0 percent) over the month.

Read the December 2025 Statewide Employment and Unemployment Report.

More state and local unemployment rate data: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).

More state and local employment data: Current Employment Statistics (CES).

State Unemployment Rates

In December, unemployment rates were higher in 6 states and stable in 44 states, including Oklahoma and the District of Columbia.

Read the full December 2025 Statewide Employment and Unemployment Report.

Full page PDF Maps including Current Rates, Rolling 12-Month Averages, Over-the- Month Change, and Over-the-Year Change.

More state and local area unemployment rate data: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).

County Unemployment Rates

November 2025: Jobless rates were higher than a year earlier in 76 counties,  lower in one county.

Read the full November 2025 Metropolitan Area and County Employment and Unemployment Report.

Full page PDF Maps include Current Rates, Rolling 12-Month Averages, Over-the-Month Change, and Over-the-Year Change.

More local area unemployment rate data: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).

Job Openings vs. Unemployment

November 2025: Oklahoma's number of job openings and the number of unemployed persons little changed over the month.

Job openings rates decreased in 7 states and were little changed in 43 states, including Oklahoma and the District of Columbia in November. Over the month, the national job openings rate was little changed.

Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted job openings rate increased 0.3 percentage point to 5.8 percent in November. Over the month, the national job openings rate decreased 0.2 percentage point to 4.3 percent.

Job openings data was gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and unemployment data from Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).

Last Modified on Jan 28, 2026
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