NAICS 23

Construction in Columbia, MO

Metro Market Score 19.8 (Favorable), ranked #11 of 342 metros. 606 establishments, 4,110 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 19.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

📈Rapid Growth✓Favorable Market🌱Emerging Market

Columbia ranks in the top 10% for construction market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 19.8, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
15.2
LQ: 0.74
Rank #52 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
34.5
$69,193 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 92.7
Employment growth index
Rank #26 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
25.7
YoY wage change index

606 Construction Firms in Columbia

606
Establishments
+10.0% YoY
4,110
Total Employment
+10.2% YoY
$69,193
Average Annual Wage
+1.1% YoY
0.74
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Columbia vs Missouri Statewide

How this metro's construction market compares to Missouri overall. The state ranks #43/51 for entry risk.

Measure Columbia MO Statewide
Overall Score 19.8 Favorable 54.6 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #11 of 342 metros #43 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 Columbia

Retail Trade 32.6 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 42.4 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 42.7 Finance and Insurance 72.3

Construction in Other Missouri Metros

Joplin 29.0 #33/342 Springfield 40.6 #111/342 Jefferson City 50.8 #201/342 St. Joseph 56.0 #254/342 Kansas City 57.9 #271/342

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 Columbia's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (34.5) 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.