The University of Oklahoma is Oklahoma's top-ranked university employer for the second straight year, according to the Forbes Best Employers by State list published Aug. 13. For Norman's largest employer, the recognition follows five consecutive years of merit-based salary increases and efforts to hold health insurance costs below the national trend.

OU placed sixth overall among all employers in the state, behind IBM, Costco Wholesale, AT&T, Enterprise Mobility and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, according to The Oklahoman. Oklahoma State University in Stillwater ranked 11th.

The university also landed at No. 263 on the separate Forbes Best Large Employers list, which covers companies with 5,000 or more workers nationally, The Oklahoman reported.

For the list's eighth year, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 245,000 employees at companies with at least 500 workers. The survey measured wages and benefits, management style, company reputation, flexibility and career advancement opportunities.

"To receive this recognition again is a great honor and a reflection of the intentional choices we make every day to support our people," Dorothy Anderson, OU's vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer, said in a university announcement Aug. 21.

The Board of Regents approved a fiscal year 2026–2027 budget in June that funds a fifth consecutive year of salary increases, four of which have been merit-based, according to a separate OU budget announcement. OU also cited a competitive bidding process for medical and pharmacy benefits that has kept employee premium costs below the national trend.

The university's benefits package includes paid parental leave, expanded paid holidays, educational benefits for employees and dependents, wellness programs and employee discounts.

With about 11,530 employees on its Norman campus as of April 2024, according to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, OU anchors the local economy. A 2022 university report put the total workforce across Norman, Tulsa and Oklahoma City campuses at more than 18,000, contributing $2.6 billion in annual statewide economic impact.

OU plans to conduct the Gallup Q12 employee engagement survey for a third consecutive year in September.