NAICS 23

Construction in Salinas, CA

Metro Market Score 31.6 (Favorable), ranked #50 of 342 metros. 1,184 establishments, 7,563 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 31.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

📈Rapid Growth🌱Emerging Market

Employment in Salinas's construction sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 80.4. Combined with a 31.6 market score, this metro sits in the top quartile for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
12.9
LQ: 0.72
Rank #44 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
64.9
$75,820 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 80.4
Employment growth index
Rank #68 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
31.6
YoY wage change index

1,184 Construction Firms in Salinas

1,184
Establishments
+2.2% YoY
7,563
Total Employment
+6.0% YoY
$75,820
Average Annual Wage
+3.5% YoY
0.72
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Salinas vs California Statewide

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

Measure Salinas CA Statewide
Overall Score 31.6 Favorable 47.8 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #50 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 Salinas

Healthcare and Social Assistance 32.3 Information 32.5 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 37.9 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 39.8 Other Services 50.2 Administrative and Support Services 51.2 Finance and Insurance 52.3 Retail Trade 53.7 Accommodation and Food Services 75.7

Construction in Other California Metros

Merced 30.0 #42/342 El Centro 31.0 #45/342 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 →

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 Salinas's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (64.9) 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.