NAICS 23

Construction in Raleigh-Cary, NC

Metro Market Score 56.1 (Challenging), ranked #256 of 342 metros. 5,522 establishments, 52,818 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 56.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth

Raleigh-Cary scores 56.1 on the Metro Market Score for construction, placing it in the lower half. High wage costs, strong existing competition, or slowing growth contribute to tougher entry conditions compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
86.3
LQ: 1.38
Rank #295 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
82.2
$81,952 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 76.3
Employment growth index
Rank #82 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
34.5
YoY wage change index

5,522 Construction Firms in Raleigh-Cary

5,522
Establishments
-1.2% YoY
52,818
Total Employment
+5.3% YoY
$81,952
Average Annual Wage
+4.7% YoY
1.38
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Raleigh-Cary vs North Carolina Statewide

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

Measure Raleigh-Cary NC Statewide
Overall Score 56.1 Challenging 38.2 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #256 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 Raleigh-Cary

Healthcare and Social Assistance 35.4 Accommodation and Food Services 42.8 Retail Trade 44.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 54.3 Other Services 56.5 Administrative and Support Services 62.9 Information 74.2 Finance and Insurance 76.3

Construction in Other North Carolina Metros

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton 19.7 #10/342 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

+ 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 Raleigh-Cary's construction sector, the industry concentration component (86.3) 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.