NAICS 23

Construction in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Metro Market Score 31.9 (Favorable), ranked #52 of 342 metros. 1,600 establishments, 10,900 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 31.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

📈Rapid Growth🌱Emerging Market

Durham-Chapel Hill ranks in the top quartile for construction market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 31.9, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
6.1
LQ: 0.61
Rank #21 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
64.3
$75,705 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 76.6
Employment growth index
Rank #81 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
36.4
YoY wage change index

1,600 Construction Firms in Durham-Chapel Hill

1,600
Establishments
+0.2% YoY
10,900
Total Employment
+5.4% YoY
$75,705
Average Annual Wage
+5.5% YoY
0.61
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Durham-Chapel Hill vs North Carolina Statewide

How this metro's construction market compares to North Carolina overall. The state ranks #15/51 for entry risk.

Measure Durham-Chapel Hill NC Statewide
Overall Score 31.9 Favorable 38.2 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #52 of 342 metros #15 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 Durham-Chapel Hill

Accommodation and Food Services 40.0 Retail Trade 40.3 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 40.8 Other Services 49.7 Administrative and Support Services 50.5 Finance and Insurance 62.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 66.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 67.4 Information 80.0

Construction in Other North Carolina Metros

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton 19.7 #10/342 Greenville 29.9 #40/342 Winston-Salem 35.4 #67/342 Wilmington 35.6 #68/342 Goldsboro 36.6 #73/342 Jacksonville 37.8 #83/342 Pinehurst-Southern Pines 39.4 #102/342 Greensboro-High Point 43.0 #128/342 Rocky Mount 43.5 #134/342 Fayetteville 49.2 #183/342

+ 3 more metros. View all in North Carolina →

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 Durham-Chapel Hill's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (64.3) 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.