Tulsa Job Market

[sauerkraut]

Does Tulsa still have a strong job market? The Sunday Tulsa paper seems to be  full of ads. I was told that if you knew how to weld you could just about write your own paycheck in Tulsa. Here in Ohio things are very grim. we have 9 percent unemployment and a neighbor lost his job last month and needs to move to find work, he does mfg. and warehouse work. His wife got layed off from a bakery job in November, 2008. I showed him the Tulsa World job ads on-line but he is not sure they would have any openings not even at temp agencys. Many times the temp agancys run ad's just to draw in a new pool of workers but they have no real job openings to send the workers to.

[TURobY]

I can only speak about the Technology market, but I'd describe it as lukewarm. It certainly is tighter than this time last year, but I know of a couple companies who are getting ready to expand within a month. And I know a couple of friends who have had no problems leaving one company to transfer to another.

I beginning to think, based on the personel moves that I've seen, that some of the Oil & Gas companies are about to take off again in a positive direction...

[cannon_fodder]

It is "OK."  For a while a couple years ago we couldn't get enough workers.  I believe most of the market here is still strong, but companies are hesitant to make a commitment to hire new employees.

Also the usual suspects are getting hit:  oil and gas infrastructure orders have slowed (work is ongoing though, as these things were backlogged forever), aviation orders are way off, automotive components are at a stand still. 

If Tulsa is lucky and/or plays the cards right we could position ourselves to leap ahead of the curve when this thing breaks.  Our real estate market is steady.  BOKF is strongly positions now (weaker than it was, but relative to the financial industry).  Our aviation industry appears able to weather the storm.  And IF we get a strong foothold on alternative energy we could be positioned for huge growth in that area (probably just as legacy projects in oil & gas are winding down).

I'm cautiously optimistic that Tulsa can weather the downturn with minimal impact.  I'm hopeful that we have leadership smart enough to position Tulsa for growth when the economy picks back up.  I'm tired of missing the boom and holding firm through the bust (though that is an improvement over the early 80's as I understand it).

[TulsaBound]

I hate for this to be my inaugural post, but I am currently seeking a job in the Tulsa area, and can't imagine a group of better connected individuals to solicit help from!

I am currently located in Lexington, Kentucky but both my wife and I want to move back to Tulsa to continue our careers and begin a family.  After completing my MBA, I have spent the past two years in the marketing department of a biotech firm.  I enjoy marketing, but would also consider any business position.

Any help would be appreciated as I have found networking from 12 hours east of Tulsa to be quite difficult.  I plan to relocate back to Tulsa as soon as I get a job in the area, and even though Tulsa has shown to be quite resilient to the current economic climate, I know that will take some time. I love Tulsa and the people there and truly cannot wait to move back and become an active member of the community.

Thanks again. I am glad I finally pulled the trigger and became apart of the speaking contingent of the board!

[TheArtist]

Well, Tulsa is doing "ok".... but lets not fool ourselves other areas are doing well and even better in some instances and will compete big time for the things/ people and jobs we also want. Denver and Austin come to mind. I too am "hopeful" that we have leadership smart enough to position Tulsa for growth once the economy picks up.  But we are still behind and better get moving. Squabbling about even tiny things that are so obviously a positive like community gardens, is shockingly backward.

I went to work this morning and got some really hard news.  My assistant, who has been working with me for over 5 years is moving to.... Austin.

Went there a few times recently and said when he came back here it was so depressing. He said the energy there is so different. Its more alive, more stuff going on, you just feel it in the air and it enlivens you. You come back to Tulsa and its just depressing. Said he is looking at a great 2 bedroom apt in a nice area for about 650 a month... Said all the apartment complexes he looked at there had 9' or higher ceilings,,, where as in Tulsa that not common. (sounds silly, as if thats important, but people notice differences and they add up) Was saying how its so green and full of trees. Says there is a city ordinance that you have to plant a certain number of trees on a new property. There are bike trails on the roads. He says they are about 20 years ahead of Tulsa,,, and we are still poking along, and fighting and arguing about stupid stuff. OMG form based codes,,, lets have a tiny "experimental" pilot project. Dont want to go CRAZY here lol.  

This is really going to be tough on me. Its not easy to find good, reliable help. Especially something that requires talent, drive and self motivation. I hate working alone, rattling around in those big houses all day. Then coming home and being alone there to boot lol. Thats another thing. Tulsa is a fantastic city to have a family in. Its known for that. But if your single or a creative type... It SUCKS!  Its getting better, but soooooo slooooowly. I really felt terrible today. Spring is slow for us anyway. The economy is slow here to boot. So things are stressful as it is. Now hearing my assistant is leaving for greener pastures with a job opportunity to do the same thing there. And me sitting here once again wondering and doubting why I am here? Am I wasting my life here? Will I stay and always wonder what iff? Should I stay and spend my life trying to help make this city better? Or go and enjoy a city that is already there? Friend after friend has left. Everyone I have talked to today has said the same thing... "Yes Austin is great... Its like Tulsa but with a nightlife" lol. "Its like Tulsa but with more money and nicer stuff and more opportunity."   "Austin has a great vibe." People also say similar positive stuff about Denver.  

Tulsa has potential, its getting there... But its AAALWAYS had "potential". Its always "getting there".  When is it going ever realize that potential? There are so many people fighting against new ideas,"not that they are even new anymore lol".  We never take bold, aggressive moves to catch up or progress. We did in the early days. We progress a little during the good times... But other places do more and progress more even during the bad times, so progressing a little wont do it. Same ol same ol, aint gonna cut it. And fighting against even the most basic, tiny, positive, improvements sure as heck wont do it.   Its a fight just to be "normal" let alone excel and be on the cutting edge.

No, we shouldn't want to be like those places that messed up and grew unrealistically and stupidly. Growths for growths sake. But we all recognized that places like Austin and Denver have been doing good things for a long time now, and are growing well. And they are still doing very well. Whats really going to be frustrating is when we see places like Omaha pass us by. Omaha, once a veritable bend in the road with far less "potential" than Tulsa. I have watched them actively promote themselves, do all kinds of things to make their city attractive to both families and young creative class people.  To make it more beautiful, lively and vibrant. Investing in arts, river development, trails, beautification projects, zoning for good pedestrian friendly development, etc. All the seemingly little, silly things, that add up and work together to make a big difference. .

Tulsa has the potential and the opportunity to be something better than "ok". To have great energy and "vibe".  But it always has, and hasnt done what it takes to be more than, ok. When will you? It reminds me of the guy I tried to help out once. Said he wanted this and that, a job, get his ged. etc. Sounded sooo genuine. I tried to help but discovered that, though he SAID one thing,,, he didnt have the habits or the real gumption to do it. Opportunity after opportunity would slip by or be squandered or there would aalways be an excuse of some sort. Tulsa seems like that, you say you want it, sound really convincing, take half steps to get there, but in the end, Its always the same coasting along. My dad said it was the same way here all his life. I have been saying, "Oh no, we are gonna do it this time. Wait and see."  Dang I am in my 40s now lol. Still waiting.... Can Tulsa change?  Does it even really want to?

[TURobY]

As morbid as it sounds, I'm kinda waiting for the "old" people to die off. There are actually quite a few young people here in Tulsa that want that "vibrancy" here in Tulsa, probably WAY more than you realize. But, their voices are constantly drowned out by the older generations.

Additionally, as suburban economics began faltering, I started witnessing an increasing interest in inner-city living. Friends and co-workers began discussing city issues in regards to transportation and livibility factors. We've been on a break from that for a little bit due to lower gas prices, but as they begin creeping up again, I expect more discussion to begin perculating.

Who knows, I may be overly positive with my outlook. But, as the older generation who created suburban sprawl begin exiting the picture, I'm starting to see more interest in infill and urban environment. Yes, even here in Tulsa...

[MichaelBates]

John Eagleton's website has a report from Woods & Poole Economics projecting a 1.9% increase in gross regional product for the Tulsa metro area in 2010, and an increase in both jobs (6,000) and population (7,000).

[TheArtist]

We arent doing bad. I am certainly glad we are seeing positive numbers. While trolling the net looking at other cities forecasts, they point to sluggish growth or even negative numbers in 2009, (population, jobs, home building) but many also point to a rebound in 2010.  And those numbers are often pretty danged impressive. Especially when considering their often really high numbers before the recession hit. Our home values are still up for instance,,, but even a lot of areas, except for those really bad actors, their home values and construction may go down, but then project upwards again so that once all is said and done and growth starts again,,, our home values will still have gained less (though you can say we are more affordable), but its often the  same with population growth, income levels, jobs creation etc. Even with the dramatic ups and downs some other places are seeing, our slow, steady growth is still in essence, a falling behind over all.  Yet, we are improving, so thats something lol. If we could just tweak it up a little so that over all we wont keep falling behind. Cause after a time you start to look less and less attractive, stagnant and more run down. 2010 a lot of places appear to be projecting growth again. And those places will likely rachet up again in 2011. How will we compare?    We are doing a lot of good things and a lot of people are trying to make changes. Lets not slack off from those efforts. 


http://www.angeloueconomics.com/

Population Growth: Austin will grow by 38K people in 2009 and will add another 44K in 2010

Retail sales will slow .8% in 2009, and rebound by 3% in 2010

  Job Sector: Austin's economy will experience sluggish job growth in 2009 before returning to form in 2010, with employment increasing by 11,000 in 2010.


http://www.builderonline.com/local-markets/the-healthiest-housing-markets-for-2009.aspx?page=14

The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009

2. Austin, Texas
2008 Total Building Permits: 14,250

Nine years ago, during the tech bust, some builders felt that Austin was too crowded and left. The bloom is back on Austin's yellow rose now; it moved up the leader board to become the sixth largest home building market last year. Job creation explains the move. While other markets lost employment, Austin added 17,400 jobs last year, 2.3 percent growth rate. It helps that Austin is home to both a major university, The University of Texas, and the state capital. Existing homes cost a little bit more in Austin than other Texas markets, roughly $188,600, but that's still below the national average. Also, Austin is one of the few metro areas in the country where median prices actually rose in 2008--2.7 percent. Amazingly, Austin now generates more home building activity than Chicago, which has six times more people.

[waterboy]

As morbid as it sounds, I'm kinda waiting for the "old" people to die off. There are actually quite a few young people here in Tulsa that want that "vibrancy" here in Tulsa, probably WAY more than you realize. But, their voices are constantly drowned out by the older generations.

Additionally, as suburban economics began faltering, I started witnessing an increasing interest in inner-city living. Friends and co-workers began discussing city issues in regards to transportation and livibility factors. We've been on a break from that for a little bit due to lower gas prices, but as they begin creeping up again, I expect more discussion to begin perculating.

Who knows, I may be overly positive with my outlook. But, as the older generation who created suburban sprawl begin exiting the picture, I'm starting to see more interest in infill and urban environment. Yes, even here in Tulsa...

Good luck with that waiting thing. I remember thinking the same thing when I was your age, living in Tulsa. That is why I stayed. It didn't happen. The fundamentals in Tulsa are religious based, erego, our city has embraced the many hypocrisies and conflicts that religion brings. Conformity rules. Creative people "...must be stopped". You have to live by the principals of yourself, your generation and do what's best for your family. All else is based on that.

[SXSW]

I think the shift is happening, albeit slower than we want to accept.  I see the growth in unique and urban areas of the city like downtown, Cherry Street, and Brookside over the past 5 years as a direct result.  I see Tulsa as a blank canvas of sorts where one can really make a name for themselves because you don't have 10 people doing the same thing like in a bigger city.  Tulsa's potential, even if not fully realized, is an attraction for many though it may not seem that way.  Austin is way over-rated anyway, if you're going to take a step up from Tulsa go to Denver or Chicago, not Austin..

**And yes I realize my name is SXSW (South by Southwest) which, to me, describes Tulsa and NOT the Austin music festival.

[Cats Cats Cats]

I think some of you are looking at this the wrong way.  I don't think the reason why Austin is so far ahead is because we have more religion in Tulsa.  It is because we have less high paying jobs.  Throw in every single technology job that is in Austin in Tulsa and we would quickly get moving.

Austin  "The median income for a household in the city was $42,689, and the median income for a family was $54,091"

Tulsa "The median income for a household in the city was $35,316, and the median income for a family was $44,518."

Throw in 50% more people and there is a lot more extra money going around.

[cannon_fodder]

Don't forget about throwing us in the middle of 2 major metropolitan areas, making us the capital of one of the largest states, and having us be the home to a huge State University.

I'd say just be located between 2 jumbo cities is worth a few thousand jobs.  Being along THE major trade route to and from Mexico also helps.

Being the State Capital of Oklahoma is worth thousands and thousands of jobs, I'd imagine it's worth a couple times that many in Texas.  And of course being a capital draws in Federal jobs by the thousands too.   Not too mention the tourism and other visits associated.

And the University of Texas employs nearly 20,000 people and brings in 12,000 new young residents with loan money to spend on nightlife and other "cool" things.  Many of those jobs are very high paying jobs and many of those educated kids will decide to stay.  As an added bonus, U Texas athletics brings in hundreds of thousands of tourists each year to spend money in Austin.

I'd have to imagine adding 20,000 University jobs, 10-15,000 government jobs, having 50,000 college kids spending money in Tulsa, and having a state funded tourist attraction that draws in hundreds of thousands of people would help prop Tulsa up a bit. 

Comparing Tulsa to Austin is a bit silly.  It is clear the State will not allow Tulsa to have a real 4 year state University (because Langston is a "historically black college" it would be racist to have more education in Tulsa).  We are not and will not be the capital.  Education jobs in Oklahoma will go to Stillwater and Norman.  Governmental jobs in Oklahoma go to Oklahoma City.  Tulsa will have to become vibrant on our own accord, its clear government money from outside of Tulsa isn't going to do it.

[Cats Cats Cats]

They can have their tax funded jobs.  I want jobs that have salaries that are paid by people that aren't tax payers.

[sauerkraut]

Thanks for the info- I know Omaha is doing good, I love that city but hate the cold weather. Omaha has a huge system of trails and low unemployment. I have never been to Austin, Texas but Texas has no state income tax and Texas has low tax rates for companies, Texas also has a mild sunny climate. I lived in the D/FW MetroPlex back in the 1980's and they have everything there from night life to anything else. Texas is a fast growing state the popluation is around 25 million or so I believe.