NAICS 23

Construction in Wilmington, NC

Metro Market Score 35.6 (Moderate), ranked #68 of 342 metros. 2,100 establishments, 14,310 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 35.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

📈Rapid Growth

Wilmington is a specialized hub for construction, with a location quotient of 1.46 and industry concentration in the top quartile. Higher-than-average firm density means more competition for talent and customers, but also a deeper local supply chain and client pool.

Industry Concentration
89.2
LQ: 1.46
Rank #305 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
28.4
$67,584 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 99.4
Employment growth index
Rank #3 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
30.1
YoY wage change index

2,100 Construction Firms in Wilmington

2,100
Establishments
+40.3% YoY
14,310
Total Employment
+29.2% YoY
$67,584
Average Annual Wage
+2.9% YoY
1.46
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Wilmington vs North Carolina Statewide

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

Measure Wilmington NC Statewide
Overall Score 35.6 Moderate 38.2 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #68 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 Wilmington

Other Services 38.6 Finance and Insurance 39.7 Healthcare and Social Assistance 40.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 41.9 Retail Trade 42.4 Accommodation and Food Services 50.4 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 61.5

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 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 Wilmington's construction sector, the industry concentration component (89.2) 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.