NAICS 23

Construction in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Metro Market Score 19.7 (Favorable), ranked #10 of 342 metros. 903 establishments, 5,725 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 19.7
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

Employment in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton's construction sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 93.0. Combined with a 19.7 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
12.3
LQ: 0.71
Rank #42 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
20.5
$64,984 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 93.0
Employment growth index
Rank #25 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
47.1
YoY wage change index

903 Construction Firms in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

903
Establishments
-0.3% YoY
5,725
Total Employment
+10.3% YoY
$64,984
Average Annual Wage
+9.9% YoY
0.71
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton vs North Carolina Statewide

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

Measure Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton NC Statewide
Overall Score 19.7 Favorable 38.2 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #10 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

Accommodation and Food Services 30.8 Finance and Insurance 33.1 Other Services 33.5 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 38.4 Retail Trade 42.7 Administrative and Support Services 45.1 Information 45.4

Construction in Other North Carolina Metros

Greenville 29.9 #40/342 Durham-Chapel Hill 31.9 #52/342 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton's construction sector, the wage pressure component (47.1) 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.