Oklahoma Adds 1,325 Aerospace Jobs in Record Growth Year

Oklahoma just proved that smart economic strategy can create thousands of good paying jobs while building an industry for the future.

The state's aerospace and defense sector added 1,325 jobs across 37 companies in 2025, according to a report released Wednesday by Oklahoma's Department of Commerce. Those jobs came alongside $450 million in new capital investment, representing a 300% increase from the previous year.

The growth didn't happen by accident. In 2018, Oklahoma created the Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) program to actively support and expand the industry. Since then, the state has invested $11.2 million into the program and received $2.5 billion in capital investment back, along with 10,240 new jobs over eight years.

Several major projects anchored 2025's success. CBC Global Ammunition announced a $300 million manufacturing facility in Pryor that will create 350 jobs making ammunition for U.S. law enforcement and military. Long Wave Inc. in Oklahoma City won a multi million dollar Navy contract that added over 100 engineering positions.

Firehawk Aerospace is building a $22 million facility in Lawton for 3D printed rocket motors, creating 100 jobs. Kratos Defense is opening an advanced manufacturing plant in Bristow for turbojet engines, starting with 100 positions and room to double the facility size.

Dawn Aerospace from New Zealand selected Oklahoma's Air and Space Port as its U.S. base for daily spaceplane operations. The diverse mix of companies shows Oklahoma competing for cutting edge aerospace work, not just traditional manufacturing.

The Ripple Effect

The program goes beyond writing checks to attract companies. ACES connected 272 people from 143 aerospace companies at its annual forum and helped over 300 job seekers meet with 52 hiring companies at career fairs.

The state supported Oklahoma companies at 29 trade shows, helping secure $29.57 million in actual export sales and $178 million in projected future sales. Those connections mean Oklahoma businesses can grow and compete globally.

Jobs in the pipeline average $85,613 in annual salary. ACES currently tracks 70 open projects that could bring another $6.8 billion in investment and 11,429 more jobs if they close.

At least 30 new aerospace and defense companies have started operations in Oklahoma over the past eight years, joining established operations like Tinker Air Force Base and American Airlines Technical Operations. The combination of new startups and major employers creates a diverse ecosystem where workers have options and companies can find talent.

Oklahoma is proving that states willing to invest strategically in growing industries can compete with anyone for the high tech jobs of tomorrow.