NAICS 23

Construction in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Metro Market Score 39.1 (Moderate), ranked #97 of 342 metros. 1,384 establishments, 10,344 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 39.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara ranks in the upper half for construction market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 39.1, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
41.5
LQ: 0.91
Rank #142 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
54.4
$73,380 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 73.7
Employment growth index
Rank #91 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
35.9
YoY wage change index

1,384 Construction Firms in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

1,384
Establishments
+2.3% YoY
10,344
Total Employment
+4.7% YoY
$73,380
Average Annual Wage
+5.3% YoY
0.91
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara vs California Statewide

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

Measure Santa Maria-Santa Barbara CA Statewide
Overall Score 39.1 Moderate 47.8 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #97 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

Finance and Insurance 42.6 Healthcare and Social Assistance 45.9 Retail Trade 51.6 Other Services 54.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 61.3 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 65.8 Administrative and Support Services 76.0 Information 78.0 Accommodation and Food Services 84.9

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 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (54.4) 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.