Salary & Cost of Living in Stillwater, OK
Stillwater, OK: $42,575 median salary, cost of living index 87.3, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$42,575
$20/hr
Cost of Living
87.3
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.9%
rate
Stillwater, OK Overview
Population
50,210
Median Salary
$42,575
Average Salary
$47,684
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$202,000
Median Rent
$833/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
4.5%
Stillwater is located in Oklahoma with a population of 50,210. The median household salary is $42,575 per year ($20/hour), which is $16,809 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
Stillwater Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Stillwater, OK based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $42,575 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $26,397 | $12.69/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $42,575 | $20.47/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $60,457 | $29.07/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $75,784 | $36.44/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Stillwater Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Stillwater, OK, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$34,225
$2,852.10/month · $1,316.35/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.6%
Gross Pay
$42,575
Federal Tax
-$3,071
State Tax
-$2,022
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,257
Net Pay
$34,225
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,547.92 | $42,575.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$255.88 | -$3,070.50 |
| Oklahoma State Tax (4.75%) | -$168.53 | -$2,022.31 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$219.97 | -$2,639.65 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$51.44 | -$617.34 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,852.10 | $34,225.20 |
Salary Comparison: Stillwater vs Other Cities
See how Stillwater's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stillwater, OK | $42,575 | 87.3 | $48,769 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Lake Worth Beach, FL | $42,559 | 99.5 | $42,773 |
| Riviera Beach, FL | $42,556 | 91.3 | $46,611 |
| El Cajon, CA | $42,659 | 135.4 | $31,506 |
| Gallatin, TN | $42,481 | 84.1 | $50,512 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Stillwater
Stillwater's cost of living index is 87.3 (national average = 100). Living in Stillwater is 12.700000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$202,000
Median Monthly Rent
$833
Annual Rent Cost
$9,996
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $34,225 annual take-home pay in Stillwater has the purchasing power of approximately $39,204 in an average-cost US area. Your $42,575 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Stillwater
Stillwater's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $42,575.
Salary Tips for Stillwater Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Stillwater has a cost of living 12.700000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $42,575 here has the purchasing power of about $48,769 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Stillwater's top industries include Energy, Aerospace, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $42,575 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Stillwater salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Stillwater-OK metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Stillwater indexed at 87.3.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Stillwater's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $42,575 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Oklahoma state income tax (4.75%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Stillwater: 2.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Aerospace, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Oklahoma.
- Housing context: median home price $202,000, median rent $833/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Stillwater, OK:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Stillwater unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Stillwater QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Oklahoma — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Stillwater's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Oklahoma labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Stillwater, OK?
The median salary in Stillwater, OK is $42,575 per year, or $20 per hour. The average salary is $47,684. This is $16,809 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Stillwater, OK?
Stillwater's cost of living index is 87.3 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.700000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $202,000 and the median monthly rent is $833.
What are the best industries in Stillwater?
The top industries in Stillwater, OK include Energy, Aerospace, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $42,575.
How does Stillwater's salary compare to other cities?
Stillwater's median salary of $42,575 is 28.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87.3), the real purchasing power is approximately $48,769.
What is the minimum wage in Stillwater, OK?
The minimum wage in Stillwater, OK is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.