The city of Tulsa pre-pandemic may not have been known as a place where founders build their startups or where hiring professionals look to source high-skilled talent. But much has changed over the past two years with the migration of talent from major tech and business hubs on the coasts, and the concentrated efforts of the city’s stakeholders in helping support transformational economic growth in the city. Tulsa has attracted ambitious professionals who are not only looking to excel in their career, but to plant local roots and take part in a rapidly growing ecosystem.
A change has occurred where talent chooses to settle as professionals have begun reflecting on what is truly important in their lives. There has been an awakening regarding the importance of work/life balance, a supportive local community, and the understanding that professionals can deliver optimal work performance from anywhere. To offer some context on how today’s professionals are prioritizing work/life balance: “72% of employees consider work-life balance to be very important when looking for a new job.”
A culmination of these trends has positioned Tulsa as the talent center in the American Heartland. The city has for the last few years been building an ecosystem in order to attract and support talent, with the pandemic only accelerating this trend. This is not going to be a secret for long, and as more companies hire in town now is the time to join us as part of this ascent. Aside from walking the streets and feeling the energy of a city undergoing a transformational change, there are real world benefits for businesses looking to hire high-skilled talent at reasonable compensation, and they include:
A motivated workforce looking to grow
Tulsa has a focus on newly minted talent, in roles that are relevant for today’s growing companies, specifically in the areas of sales and engineering talent. As referenced by EMSI and Standard Occupation Coding when it comes to those roles (respectively) there has been “nearly a 30% increase in the number of SDR jobs in Tulsa. That is higher than the national growth rate and above many of our regional and national competitors” and that “from 2015 to 2020, there was a nearly 19% increase in the number of Software Engineering jobs in Tulsa.”
“from 2015 to 2020, there was a nearly 19% increase in the number of Software Engineering jobs in Tulsa.”
There are also attractive intangible aspects such as the friendly Midwestern temperament (well suited for SDR and customer success roles), and the loyal, hardworking ethos of professionals based in Tulsa. In today’s ultra-competitive environment there is something to be noted about employees who focus on excelling on the job without looking for the next best opportunity, a core value for many working in Tulsa.
The same level of talent, but with cost savings
With the cost of living being significantly less expensive than the crowded overpriced cities on the coasts, many young talented professionals have moved to locations like Tulsa. One of the biggest challenges for hiring is finding quality talent at a reasonable price, specifically for sales and engineering talent, but the economics of Tulsa make it simple.
As Tulsa offers a lower cost of living, one’s earning power goes a lot further. One of the challenges for professionals looking to build their careers and lives in today’s cities is making enough to support a family. Many professionals (in areas such as tech) in Tulsa expect to earn a respectable salary for the region, but far less than what they would be compensated in a coastal city, and this creates an equitable win-win situation for both the employer and employee.
A diverse workforce
A diversity strategy is key to many organizations’ success, and the Tulsa workforce is one of the most diverse in the country. Examples include initiatives such as Build in Tulsa, which looks to empower black entrepreneurs as well as the strong economic relationships with the local Native American tribes which serve to empower the local workforce.
According to the 2020 Census “Oklahoma is the 17th most racially diverse state in the nation'' and specifically “Tulsa County’s nonwhite population grew by +25% over the last 10 years.” We believe that everyone should have a seat at the table to join us in building our city, and that is reflected in the city’s talent profile.
“Oklahoma is the 17th most racially diverse state in the nation'' and specifically “Tulsa County’s nonwhite population grew by +25% over the last 10 years.”
Local stakeholders who work with you
Local stakeholders in Tulsa such as inTulsa are actively working to upskill local talent through programs such as the Holberton School and the Satellite SDR training program. Along with educating the workforce, working with inTulsa enables you to partner with a team of talent professionals who identify and place strong local talent which has gone through a vetting and training process. To learn more about how inTulsa can help your organization succeed click here.
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