NAICS 56

Administrative and Support Services in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Metro Market Score 45.1 (Moderate), ranked #86 of 267 metros. 580 establishments, 7,739 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 45.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

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

Despite a mature administrative and support services presence (concentration: 60.3), Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton is still adding jobs in this sector. Growth trend sits at 52.8, and the overall 45.1 market score lands in the upper half. Established markets with growth are worth a closer look.

Industry Concentration
60.3
LQ: 0.86
Rank #161 of 267 metros
Wage Competitiveness
12.4
$39,946 avg wage
Growth Trend
52.8
Employment growth index
Rank #127 of 267 metros
Wage Pressure
64.1
YoY wage change index

580 Administrative and Support Services Firms in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

580
Establishments
-2.8% YoY
7,739
Total Employment
-1.4% YoY
$39,946
Average Annual Wage
+7.3% YoY
0.86
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton vs North Carolina Statewide

How this metro's administrative and support services market compares to North Carolina overall. The state ranks #32/51 for entry risk.

Measure Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton NC Statewide
Overall Score 45.1 Moderate 42.8 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #86 of 267 metros #32 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

Construction 19.7 Accommodation and Food Services 30.8 Finance and Insurance 33.1 Other Services 33.5 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 38.4 Retail Trade 42.7 Information 45.4

Administrative and Support Services in Other North Carolina Metros

Rocky Mount 29.7 #18/267 Goldsboro 37.6 #47/267 Greensboro-High Point 47.7 #103/267 Durham-Chapel Hill 50.5 #118/267 Pinehurst-Southern Pines 51.8 #128/267 Burlington 56.8 #172/267 Winston-Salem 62.8 #209/267 Raleigh-Cary 62.9 #210/267 Jacksonville 63.0 #212/267 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia 66.0 #224/267

+ 1 more metros. View all in North Carolina →

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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton's administrative and support services sector, the industry concentration component (60.3) 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.