NAICS 23

Construction in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Metro Market Score 63.4 (Difficult), ranked #303 of 342 metros. 1,174 establishments, 8,820 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 63.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

💰High-Cost Market

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles scores 63.4 on the Metro Market Score for construction, placing it in the bottom quartile. High wage costs, strong existing competition, or slowing growth contribute to tougher entry conditions compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
86.5
LQ: 1.38
Rank #296 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
75.2
$78,745 avg wage
Growth Trend
53.8
Employment growth index
Rank #159 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
45.4
YoY wage change index

1,174 Construction Firms in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

1,174
Establishments
-0.1% YoY
8,820
Total Employment
+2.5% YoY
$78,745
Average Annual Wage
+9.2% YoY
1.38
Location Quotient
Above national avg

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles vs California Statewide

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

Measure San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles CA Statewide
Overall Score 63.4 Difficult 47.8 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #303 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 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles

Healthcare and Social Assistance 34.9 Other Services 38.8 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 46.9 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 49.2 Finance and Insurance 55.3 Information 58.7 Administrative and Support Services 58.9 Accommodation and Food Services 60.6 Retail Trade 63.6

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 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles's construction sector, the industry concentration component (86.5) 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.