Oklahoma’s first IKEA posts job listings as Tulsa Hills store aims for fall opening
TULSA — People who want to work at Oklahoma’s first IKEA location can begin applying now, the company says, as it prepares to open a smaller-format “city store” in north Tulsa later this year.
The retailer has posted multiple openings for the store at Tulsa Hills, located in the former Belk building. Job ads list roles including retail associates, retail sales planning keyholders and other positions across customer service, merchandising, logistics and food service. Both full-time and part-time opportunities are available, and seasonal positions are being recruited to staff the store around its opening.
- Start date for employees: expected early September
- Hourly pay: listings show starting pay at $18.50
- Store size: approximately 51,000 square feet
What the store will offer and what Tulsa stands to gain
The new IKEA will operate as a compact “city store,” with home furnishings, room displays and design inspiration sections, and will serve as a pickup location for online orders. The format is smaller than traditional suburban IKEA warehouses but aims to deliver the brand’s core shopping services and merchandise in an urban-friendly footprint.
City officials approved a $2.5 million incentive package earlier this year to support the project. City leaders projected the store would generate significant retail sales annually and draw shoppers from across the region, a calculation that informed the council’s support for the incentive.
Jobs, benefits and local concerns
Besides pay, the company indicates eligible employees may receive benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans and employee discounts. The job postings say work is expected to begin in early September, ahead of the store’s fall opening.
At the same time, the announcement has prompted conversation locally about traffic and infrastructure around Tulsa Hills. Earlier reporting noted drivers and nearby residents voiced concerns that a new major retailer could increase traffic volumes in the area — an issue city leaders and planners will be watching as the store nears opening.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Store format | City store (smaller-format) |
| Location | Former Belk building, Tulsa Hills |
| Size | ~51,000 sq ft |
| Employee start | Early September |
| City incentive | $2.5 million |
| Starting hourly pay | $18.50 |
For many Tulsans this is the first chance to work for a global retailer that has been absent from the state. Hiring announcements like this often ripple beyond the immediate jobs created: they influence traffic patterns, demand for nearby services and the retail mix that draws shoppers to a corridor. City leaders and residents will be watching how IKEA’s opening affects Tulsa Hills and the broader retail landscape in the months ahead.
Applicants interested in the posted positions are directed to the company’s online listings to apply.
