NAICS 23

Construction in Cedar Rapids, IA

Metro Market Score 49.8 (Challenging), ranked #190 of 342 metros. 763 establishments, 8,848 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 49.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

Cedar Rapids pairs above-average construction concentration (73.4) with positive employment growth (trend: 64.3). The market is competitive but still expanding, leaving room for well-positioned new entrants.

Industry Concentration
73.4
LQ: 1.22
Rank #251 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
57.6
$73,989 avg wage
Growth Trend
64.3
Employment growth index
Rank #123 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
31.6
YoY wage change index

763 Construction Firms in Cedar Rapids

763
Establishments
-1.2% YoY
8,848
Total Employment
+3.8% YoY
$73,989
Average Annual Wage
+3.5% YoY
1.22
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Cedar Rapids vs Iowa Statewide

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

Measure Cedar Rapids IA Statewide
Overall Score 49.8 Challenging 34.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #190 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 Cedar Rapids

Construction in Other Iowa Metros

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 Cedar Rapids's construction sector, the industry concentration component (73.4) 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.