๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 91 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Midwest City, OK

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 39 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$53,370
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$58,648
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$123,823
1BR Rent
$773
median monthly

Youโ€™d think a city of 58,000 in the heart of Oklahoma would be an automatic bargain, but Midwest Cityโ€™s got a secret: your paycheck doesnโ€™t just go further here, it practically does a victory lap. With a cost of living index of 91โ€”nine points below the national averageโ€”that median household income of $57,739 feels more like $65,000 somewhere else. A one-bedroom apartment runs just $773 a month, which is a number that feels almost illegally low in 2026.

The real story is purchasing power. Take a Registered Nurse making the local median of about $83,746. Adjusted for that 91 index, their effective earning power jumps to over $92,000. Thatโ€™s a massive advantage. It means a software developerโ€™s six-figure salary ($123,823) isnโ€™t just comfortable; itโ€™s the kind of money that buys you a house with a yard and still leaves room for savings. This isnโ€™t a place where youโ€™re priced out the second you get a raise.

So whoโ€™s thriving? Beyond the obvious tech and healthcare roles, thereโ€™s a steady backbone of skilled trades and education. Youโ€™ll find software jobs tied to Tinker Air Force Base and its contractor ecosystem, while Tinker Federal Credit Union and the local school district anchor the white-collar and public sector jobs. The unemployment rate is a tight 3.3%, signaling a healthy, competitive market for the right talent.

But hereโ€™s the honest catch: wages, while solid, arenโ€™t exploding. The average salary across all roles is $53,370, and with nearly a quarter of the city holding a bachelorโ€™s degree, thereโ€™s a ceiling for those without specialized skills. This city works brilliantly for a nurse, an electrician, or a mid-level accountant. For a barista or a retail manager? Itโ€™s fine, but the math gets tighter.

The data below will show you exactly where those opportunitiesโ€”and the limitsโ€”lie.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Midwest City

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -3% vs national

Software Developer

$123,823
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $136,069
โฑ Hourly $59.53/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -3% vs national

Accountant

$83,755
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $92,038
โฑ Hourly $40.27/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -3% vs national

Registered Nurse

$83,746
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $92,029
โฑ Hourly $40.26/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$61,950
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $68,077
โฑ Hourly $29.78/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Electrician

$59,888
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $65,811
โฑ Hourly $28.79/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 39 Occupations in Midwest City

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (91/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $123,823
2 Accountant $83,755
3 Registered Nurse $83,746
4 Elementary School Teacher $61,950
5 Electrician $59,888
6 Real Estate Agent $59,820
7 Heavy Truck Driver $51,656
8 Medical Assistant $48,650
9 Paralegal $48,650
10 Welder $48,650
11 Dental Hygienist $48,650
12 Nail Technician $48,650
13 Chef/Head Cook $48,650
14 Cosmetologist $48,650
15 Personal Trainer $48,650
16 Auto Mechanic $48,650
17 Social Worker $48,650
18 Veterinary Technician $48,650
19 Pharmacy Technician $48,650
20 Dental Assistant $48,650
21 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,650
22 Police Officer $48,650
23 Project Manager $48,650
24 Graphic Designer $48,650
25 Data Analyst $48,650
26 Plumber $48,650
27 Firefighter $48,650
28 Loan Officer $48,650
29 Insurance Agent $48,650
30 Physical Therapist $48,650
31 Carpenter $48,650
32 Human Resources Specialist $48,650
33 Financial Analyst $48,650
34 Pharmacist $48,650
35 HVAC Technician $48,650
36 Web Developer $48,650
37 Construction Manager $48,650
38 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,650
39 Marketing Manager $48,650

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Midwest City

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$773/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$966/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$181,500
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.3%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$57,739
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
25%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
91
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Midwest City?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Midwest City. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Midwest City Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Midwest City, OK?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Midwest City is $53,370. This figure is lower than the national average, reflecting the city's cost of living index of 91.0, which is 9% below the U.S. average.

What jobs pay the most in Midwest City?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Midwest City is a Software Developer, with an average salary of $123,823. This is more than double the city's overall average salary of $53,370, indicating strong demand for tech skills in the local market.

Is Midwest City affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $123,823 is highly affordable in Midwest City, where the median household income is $57,739. With a 1BR rent of $773/month and a cost of living index 9% below the national average, this salary provides significant financial comfort.

How does Midwest City's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Midwest City's cost of living index of 91.0 means your paycheck goes about 9% further than the U.S. average. For example, a $53,370 average salary here has the purchasing power of roughly $59,000 nationally, but the city's lower rent ($773/mo) amplifies this effect.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Midwest City?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably in Midwest City, a salary around $57,739 (matching the median household income) is a practical baseline. With a cost of living index of 91.0 and 1BR rent at $773/month, this income covers essentials and allows for savings, though higher earners like Software Developers at $123,823 experience far greater discretionary income.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Midwest City Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Midwest City isnโ€™t where you chase a massive paycheck, but itโ€™s where your money actually stretches. With a cost of living index of 91 and rent at just $773, that $53,370 average salary feels more like $60k elsewhere. The clear winner? Software Developers, who pull in $123,823 and see a COL-adjusted value of $136,069. Tech workers get the best financial upside here, though stable healthcare and trade roles also do well against the low costs. If youโ€™re considering the move, my advice is simple: secure the job before you move. The market isnโ€™t huge, but for the right person, the financial freedom is real.

Explore Midwest City Further