NAICS 23

Construction in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Metro Market Score 43.2 (Moderate), ranked #131 of 342 metros. 2,178 establishments, 15,465 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 43.2
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

Construction wages in Lakeland-Winter Haven run well below the metro average (competitiveness index: 24.6), and year-over-year wage pressure is low at 41.5. For labor-intensive operations, this cost advantage could improve unit economics significantly.

Industry Concentration
68.4
LQ: 1.13
Rank #234 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
24.6
$66,274 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 61.1
Employment growth index
Rank #134 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
41.5
YoY wage change index

2,178 Construction Firms in Lakeland-Winter Haven

2,178
Establishments
+2.4% YoY
15,465
Total Employment
+3.4% YoY
$66,274
Average Annual Wage
+7.6% YoY
1.13
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Lakeland-Winter Haven vs Florida Statewide

How this metro's construction market compares to Florida overall. The state ranks #42/51 for entry risk.

Measure Lakeland-Winter Haven FL Statewide
Overall Score 43.2 Moderate 54.5 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #131 of 342 metros #42 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 Lakeland-Winter Haven

Information 28.8 Healthcare and Social Assistance 31.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 37.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 42.7 Administrative and Support Services 58.7 Other Services 59.4 Retail Trade 61.6 Accommodation and Food Services 62.6 Finance and Insurance 64.6

Construction in Other Florida Metros

Gainesville 18.0 #7/342 Tallahassee 27.6 #27/342 Ocala 36.4 #72/342 Panama City-Panama City Beach 38.1 #88/342 Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach 42.3 #122/342 Port St. Lucie 42.5 #123/342 Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor 43.9 #137/342 Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin 44.9 #145/342 Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent 45.4 #150/342 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach 46.4 #160/342

+ 11 more metros. View all in Florida →

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 Lakeland-Winter Haven's construction sector, the industry concentration component (68.4) 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.