NAICS 23

Construction in Iowa City, IA

Metro Market Score 29.9 (Favorable), ranked #41 of 342 metros. 504 establishments, 3,722 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 29.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

✓Favorable Market🌱Emerging Market

Few construction firms have established themselves in Iowa City yet. The concentration index of 18.4 is well below the metro median, while employment growth is positive (trend: 59.4). That combination points to a market still building out.

Industry Concentration
18.4
LQ: 0.77
Rank #63 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
26.6
$66,737 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 59.4
Employment growth index
Rank #140 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
32.3
YoY wage change index

504 Construction Firms in Iowa City

504
Establishments
-1.9% YoY
3,722
Total Employment
+3.1% YoY
$66,737
Average Annual Wage
+3.8% YoY
0.77
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Iowa City vs Iowa Statewide

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

Measure Iowa City IA Statewide
Overall Score 29.9 Favorable 34.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #41 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 Iowa City

Information 30.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 31.1 Other Services 32.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 40.0 Retail Trade 42.0 Accommodation and Food Services 44.5 Administrative and Support Services 51.4 Finance and Insurance 59.2 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 62.9

Construction in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 25.8 #20/342 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 Iowa City's construction sector, the employment growth component (40.6) 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.