NAICS 72

Accommodation and Food Services in Dubuque, IA

Metro Market Score 24.7 (Favorable), ranked #5 of 298 metros. 242 establishments, 4,260 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 24.7
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national accommodation and food services average.

📈Rapid Growth✓Favorable Market🌱Emerging Market

Employment in Dubuque's accommodation and food services sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 76.2. Combined with a 24.7 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
7.0
LQ: 0.80
Rank #21 of 298 metros
Wage Competitiveness
8.7
$20,394 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 76.2
Employment growth index
Rank #72 of 298 metros
Wage Pressure
68.3
YoY wage change index

242 Accommodation and Food Services Firms in Dubuque

242
Establishments
+0.8% YoY
4,260
Total Employment
+2.0% YoY
$20,394
Average Annual Wage
+2.6% YoY
0.80
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Dubuque vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's accommodation and food services market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #29/51 for entry risk.

Measure Dubuque IA Statewide
Overall Score 24.7 Favorable 39.0 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #5 of 298 metros #29 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Dubuque

Retail Trade 34.4 Other Services 36.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 41.3 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 45.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 47.7 Administrative and Support Services 48.2 Construction 52.1 Information 58.5 Finance and Insurance 60.1

Accommodation and Food Services in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 26.3 #7/298 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 32.7 #22/298 Des Moines-West Des Moines 33.8 #25/298 Cedar Rapids 34.4 #28/298 Sioux City 42.9 #65/298 Iowa City 44.5 #80/298 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 57.3 #167/298

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Dubuque's accommodation and food services sector, the wage pressure component (68.3) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.