NAICS 23
Construction in Merced, CA
Metro Market Score 30.0 (Favorable), ranked #42 of 342 metros. 445 establishments, 3,358 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Metro Market Score 30.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable
Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.
Merced has a relatively low concentration of construction firms (index: 17.3) paired with positive employment growth. This suggests an underpenetrated market where demand may outpace current supply.
Industry Concentration
17.3
LQ: 0.75
Rank #59 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
12.0
$61,299 avg wage
Growth Trend
50.3
Employment growth index
Rank #171 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
39.1
YoY wage change index
445 Construction Firms in Merced
445
Establishments
+3.7% YoY
3,358
Total Employment
+1.9% YoY
$61,299
Average Annual Wage
+6.6% YoY
0.75
Location Quotient
Below national avg
Merced vs California Statewide
How this metro's construction market compares to California overall. The state ranks #32/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Merced | CA Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 30.0 Favorable | 47.8 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #42 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 Merced
Construction in Other California Metros
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 Redding 50.9 #205/342
+ 14 more metros. View all in California →
Data Sources
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Bureau of Labor Statistics. MSA-level establishment counts, employment, wages, and location quotients for the Merced, CA MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.