Cost to hire an employee in Oklahoma
On top of a $50,000 salary, a Oklahoma employer pays roughly $4,907 in payroll taxes and insurance before benefits, about 9.8% of wages.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: oui.doleta.gov, oregon.gov.
What a Oklahoma employer pays
| Cost | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% net | First $7,000 |
| Oklahoma unemployment (SUTA) | 1.5% new employer 0.2%–5.8% experienced | First $25,000 |
| Workers' compensation | ~$1.33 per $100 | Varies by job class |
Total cost at different salaries
| Salary | Employer taxes & insurance | % of salary | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | $3,560 | 10.2% | $38,560 |
| $50,000 | $4,907 | 9.8% | $54,907 |
| $75,000 | $7,152 | 9.5% | $82,152 |
| $100,000 | $9,397 | 9.4% | $109,397 |
| $150,000 | $13,887 | 9.3% | $163,887 |
Benefits usually cost more than taxes. The BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation survey puts benefits at roughly 30% of total compensation in private industry. Add your health plan cost in the calculator to include it.
Oklahoma vs. neighboring states
| State | SUTA wage base | New-employer rate | Cost on $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $25,000 | 1.5% | $4,907 |
| Arkansas | $7,000 | 2% | $4,272 |
| Colorado | $30,600 | 3.05% | $5,545 |
| Kansas | $15,100 | 1.75% | $4,586 |
| Missouri | $9,000 | 2.38% | $4,736 |
| New Mexico | $34,800 | 1% | $4,740 |
| Texas | $9,000 | 2.7% | $4,500 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to hire an employee in Oklahoma?
- On a $50,000 salary, employer payroll taxes and insurance add about $4,907 (9.8%), before benefits, for a total of $54,907.
- What is the Oklahoma SUTA rate for new employers?
- New employers generally pay 1.5% on the first $25,000 of each employee's wages. Experienced employers pay between 0.2% and 5.8%.
- Do Oklahoma employers pay FUTA?
- Yes. Employers pay 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, reduced to 0.6% with the state unemployment credit.