NAICS 23

Construction in Ames, IA

Metro Market Score 25.8 (Favorable), ranked #20 of 342 metros. 299 establishments, 2,568 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 25.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

📈Rapid Growth✓Favorable Market

Ames ranks in the top 10% for construction market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 25.8, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
31.9
LQ: 0.87
Rank #109 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
45.6
$71,405 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 97.1
Employment growth index
Rank #11 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
27.7
YoY wage change index

299 Construction Firms in Ames

299
Establishments
+41.0% YoY
2,568
Total Employment
+15.3% YoY
$71,405
Average Annual Wage
+1.9% YoY
0.87
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Ames vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's construction market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #7/51 for entry risk.

Measure Ames IA Statewide
Overall Score 25.8 Favorable 34.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #20 of 342 metros #7 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 Ames

Healthcare and Social Assistance 8.1 Finance and Insurance 24.0 Accommodation and Food Services 26.3 Administrative and Support Services 27.4 Retail Trade 28.5 Other Services 31.0 Information 39.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 43.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 46.9

Construction in Other Iowa Metros

Iowa City 29.9 #41/342 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 37.4 #81/342 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 48.8 #178/342 Cedar Rapids 49.8 #190/342 Dubuque 52.1 #215/342 Des Moines-West Des Moines 52.9 #225/342 Sioux City 63.4 #302/342

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 Ames's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (45.6) 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.