NAICS 56

Administrative and Support Services in Iowa City, IA

Metro Market Score 51.4 (Challenging), ranked #121 of 267 metros. 353 establishments, 2,328 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 51.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national administrative and support services average.

Iowa City stands out for high administrative and support services labor costs. Wage competitiveness hits 74.9 (above the 70th percentile of metros), and year-over-year wage pressure at 56.5 signals continued increases. Plan for higher payroll if entering this market.

Industry Concentration
5.2
LQ: 0.43
Rank #14 of 267 metros
Wage Competitiveness
74.9
$53,895 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 33.3
Employment growth index
Rank #179 of 267 metros
Wage Pressure
56.5
YoY wage change index

353 Administrative and Support Services Firms in Iowa City

353
Establishments
+6.0% YoY
2,328
Total Employment
-4.3% YoY
$53,895
Average Annual Wage
+2.8% YoY
0.43
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Iowa City vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's administrative and support services market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #3/51 for entry risk.

Measure Iowa City IA Statewide
Overall Score 51.4 Challenging 22.1 Low
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #121 of 267 metros #3 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 Iowa City

Construction 29.9 Information 30.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 31.1 Other Services 32.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 40.0 Retail Trade 42.0 Accommodation and Food Services 44.5 Finance and Insurance 59.2 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 62.9

Administrative and Support Services in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 27.4 #12/267 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 34.3 #33/267 Dubuque 48.2 #107/267 Sioux City 62.2 #207/267 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 68.8 #239/267

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 Iowa City's administrative and support services sector, the employment growth component (66.7) 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.