Healthcare Recruiting
Healthcare Recruiting in Oklahoma 2026: Top Employers, Pay, and Demand
Oklahoma consistently ranks in the top 10 paying states for physicians — and in the top 5 for many surgical and procedural specialties. Rural shortage combined with a strong private-practice tradition, favorable energy-sector insurance payers, and competitive hospital systems drives pay above the national median across the board.
Top Healthcare Employers in Oklahoma (2026)
| System | HQ | Employees | Hiring Focus 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| INTEGRIS Health | Oklahoma City | 10,000+ | Primary care, cardiology, emergency medicine |
| Saint Francis Health System | Tulsa | 11,000+ | Primary care, cardiology, oncology |
| OU Health | Oklahoma City | 14,000+ | Academic subspecialties, trauma, research |
| Mercy Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | 5,000+ OK | Primary care, emergency medicine |
| Ascension Oklahoma | Tulsa | 4,500+ | Primary care, women's health |
| Hillcrest Healthcare (Ardent) | Tulsa | 4,000+ | Primary care, cardiology, emergency medicine |
| SSM Health Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | 5,000+ | Primary care, emergency medicine |
| Norman Regional Health System | Norman | 3,000+ | Primary care, cardiology |
| Comanche County Memorial Hospital | Lawton | 2,000+ | Rural primary care, emergency medicine |
Oklahoma Salary Benchmarks (2026) — Top-5 Paying State
| Role | Median Base | Typical Sign-On |
|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine | $302,000 | $40,000–$75,000 |
| Internal Medicine | $312,000 | $40,000–$75,000 |
| Hospitalist | $348,000 | $45,000–$90,000 |
| General Cardiology | $560,000 | $125,000–$225,000 |
| Psychiatry | $395,000 | $50,000–$100,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $418,000 | $50,000–$100,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $650,000 | $150,000–$275,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $112,000 | $15,000–$25,000 |
| RN (ICU) | $82,000 | $20,000–$35,000 |
| CRNA | $218,000 | $25,000–$50,000 |
Where the Demand Is Highest
Oklahoma City Metro: INTEGRIS + OU Health + Mercy + SSM compete. Strong primary care and specialty demand.
Tulsa: Saint Francis + Hillcrest + Ascension compete.
Norman: Norman Regional + OU Medical Center Edmond. Bedroom community for OKC.
Rural OK (Lawton, Enid, Ardmore, McAlester): Critical shortage, loan repayment stack.
Indian Health Service: Oklahoma has the largest IHS footprint in the US. Federal positions available at multiple facilities.
Licensing Notes
- OK Medical Board processes in 60-90 days
- IMLC member — expedited option
- NP Full Practice Authority — OK grants full practice (as of 2022)
- eNLC member — RNs with multistate license practice immediately
Contact Ava Health for Oklahoma openings.
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