NAICS 23

Construction in North Dakota: 2026 Market Risk Report

Entry risk 58.3 (High), ranked #47 of 51 states. 3,936 establishments, 29,118 jobs.

Entry Risk Assessment

Entry Risk Score 58.3
Low 0-30
Moderate 30-42
Elevated 42-55
High 55+
High Risk

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

The construction sector in North Dakota is tracking close to the U.S. baseline, with no extreme signals in volatility, saturation, or wage pressure. Entry conditions are within the national median range.

5-Year Firm Retention
41.2%
Percentile within industry
Rank #31 of 51 states
Growth Momentum
13.4
Scale of 0-100
Rank #42 of 51 states
Establishment Density
56.4
vs. national average
Rank #48 of 51 states
Market Volatility
47.3
Lower is more stable
Wage Pressure Index
51.3
Labor cost pressure

3,936 Establishments in North Dakota

3,936
Establishments
+4.4% YoY
29,118
Total Employment
+6.9% YoY
$80,119
Average Annual Wage
+5.1% YoY

North Dakota vs National Construction Average

How North Dakota's construction market compares to the national average across all 51 states.

Metric ND National Difference
Entry Risk Score 58.3 44.2 +14.1
5-Year Retention 41.2% 51.0% -9.8
Growth Momentum 13.4 30.9 -17.5
Market Volatility 47.3 20.9 +26.4
Establishment Density 56.4 24.6 +31.8
Wage Pressure 51.3 57.1 -5.9

Green = favorable vs national average. Red = less favorable. Metrics are relative within construction only.

North Dakota Ranks #47 of 51 for Construction

North Dakota ranks #47 out of 51 states for construction market entry conditions.

Construction Entry Risk by State

Rank State Risk Score Classification
#1 Wisconsin 25.1 low
#2 Michigan 28.0 low
#3 Pennsylvania 28.4 low
#4 Alabama 30.3 moderate
#5 Nebraska 32.5 moderate
#47 North Dakota You 58.3 high
Entry Risk by State Alaska — 60.9 · #50 Alabama — 30.3 · #4 Arkansas — 34.3 · #8 Arizona — 38.6 · #16 California — 47.8 · #32 Colorado — 53.2 · #40 Connecticut — 43.2 · #27 District of Columbia — 56.9 · #45 Delaware — 43.0 · #26 Florida — 54.5 · #42 Georgia — 42.1 · #25 Hawaii — 61.1 · #51 Iowa — 34.3 · #7 Idaho — 58.4 · #48 Illinois — 49.1 · #34 Indiana — 35.0 · #11 Kansas — 51.5 · #38 Kentucky — 39.8 · #19 Louisiana — 53.6 · #41 Massachusetts — 41.5 · #23 Maryland — 35.0 · #12 Maine — 35.5 · #13 Michigan — 28.0 · #2 Minnesota — 37.3 · #14 Missouri — 54.6 · #43 Mississippi — 50.8 · #36 Montana — 45.0 · #28 North Carolina — 38.2 · #15 North Dakota — 58.3 · #47 Nebraska — 32.5 · #5 New Hampshire — 32.6 · #6 New Jersey — 48.3 · #33 New Mexico — 47.4 · #31 Nevada — 39.8 · #20 New York — 51.1 · #37 Ohio — 41.7 · #24 Oklahoma — 52.2 · #39 Oregon — 54.8 · #44 Pennsylvania — 28.4 · #3 Rhode Island — 38.8 · #17 South Carolina — 47.0 · #30 South Dakota — 34.7 · #9 Tennessee — 34.8 · #10 Texas — 46.3 · #29 Utah — 40.1 · #22 Virginia — 39.0 · #18 Vermont — 40.0 · #21 Washington — 58.1 · #46 Wisconsin — 25.1 · #1 West Virginia — 49.5 · #35 Wyoming — 59.3 · #49
Low Moderate Elevated High

Tap a state to view details

About Entry Risk Score: A weighted composite of firm retention, growth momentum, market volatility, establishment density, and wage pressure. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: February 2026. Next refresh expected: Q2 2026 (BLS QCEW update).

Compare to Another State

How does North Dakota stack up against other states for construction?

Select a state above to see the comparison

Construction in Neighboring States

How North Dakota's construction market compares to bordering states.

South Dakota 34.7 #9/51 Minnesota 37.3 #14/51 Montana 45.0 #28/51

Other Industries in North Dakota

Healthcare and Social Assistance → Retail Trade → Accommodation and Food Services → Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services → Finance and Insurance → Real Estate and Rental and Leasing → Administrative and Support Services → Information → Other Services →