While Oklahoma has the third-lowest cost of living in the United States, behind only Kansas and Mississippi, according to MERIC’s 2022 Cost of Living Index, wages in Oklahoma are also often lower in the state. When comparing the 15 most concentrated job occupations in Payne County, many have annual salary averages below the required annual income before taxes. Of the 15 occupations listed, 12 do not meet any of the living wage requirements to support a household with even one child.
Most Concentrated Occupations in Payne County
Key: red = below the living wage requirements
Hourly Average
Annual Salary Average
Total Employed
Occupation Groups
11,970
$18.09
$37,620
Office and Administrative Support
Food Preparation and Serving Related
9,850
$11.73
$24,390
8,670
$16.61
$34,540
Sales and Related
8,070
$24.23
$50,400
Educational Instruction and Library
8,030
$18.50
$38,490
Transportation and Material Moving
7,770
$21.60
$44,930
Production
6,120
$23.84
$49,590
Construction and Extraction
5,010
$44.43
$92,420
Management
Installation, Maintenance and Repair Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
$23.63
4,870
$49,150
4,520
$36.09
$75,070
3,880
$32.29
$67,170
Business and Financial Operations
3,130
$11.49
$23,900
Cashiers
Building and Ground Cleaning and Maintenance
3,000
$13.10
$27,250
2,430
$14.56
$30,280
HH ee aa l l tt hh cc aa rr ee SS uu pp pp oo rr tt
2,400
$14.24
$29,630
Retail Salespersons
Fig. 6, Source: MERIC’s 2022 Cost of Living Index
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