NAICS 23

Construction in Chico, CA

Metro Market Score 64.2 (Difficult), ranked #308 of 342 metros. 600 establishments, 3,918 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 64.2
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

Construction employment in Chico contracted year-over-year, placing the growth trend in the bottom 10% at 9.9. Declining job counts can indicate consolidation, population shifts, or reduced local demand. Due diligence on the local economy is especially important here.

Industry Concentration
45.3
LQ: 0.94
Rank #155 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
71.6
$77,408 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 9.9
Employment growth index
Rank #309 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
39.6
YoY wage change index

600 Construction Firms in Chico

600
Establishments
-2.3% YoY
3,918
Total Employment
-4.8% YoY
$77,408
Average Annual Wage
+6.8% YoY
0.94
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Chico vs California Statewide

How this metro's construction market compares to California overall. The state ranks #32/51 for entry risk.

Measure Chico CA Statewide
Overall Score 64.2 Difficult 47.8 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #308 of 342 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 Chico

Administrative and Support Services 26.0 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 43.9 Finance and Insurance 45.3 Healthcare and Social Assistance 45.3 Other Services 49.4 Information 49.8 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 51.5 Accommodation and Food Services 53.8 Retail Trade 74.5

Construction in Other California Metros

Merced 30.0 #42/342 El Centro 31.0 #45/342 Salinas 31.6 #50/342 Fresno 37.4 #80/342 Visalia 38.9 #96/342 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara 39.1 #97/342 Hanford-Corcoran 39.7 #106/342 Stockton-Lodi 46.4 #161/342 Santa Cruz-Watsonville 47.5 #168/342 Modesto 48.2 #174/342

+ 14 more metros. View all in California →

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 Chico's construction sector, the employment growth component (90.1) 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.