NAICS 23

Construction in Walla Walla, WA

Metro Market Score 41.5 (Moderate), ranked #119 of 342 metros. 210 establishments, 1,127 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 41.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

Construction wages in Walla Walla run well below the metro average (competitiveness index: 16.7), and year-over-year wage pressure is low at 21.4. For labor-intensive operations, this cost advantage could improve unit economics significantly.

Industry Concentration
15.8
LQ: 0.74
Rank #54 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
16.7
$62,833 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 2.9
Employment growth index
Rank #333 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
21.4
YoY wage change index

210 Construction Firms in Walla Walla

210
Establishments
-7.5% YoY
1,127
Total Employment
-11.7% YoY
$62,833
Average Annual Wage
-0.7% YoY
0.74
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Walla Walla vs Washington Statewide

How this metro's construction market compares to Washington overall. The state ranks #46/51 for entry risk.

Measure Walla Walla WA Statewide
Overall Score 41.5 Moderate 58.1 High
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #119 of 342 metros #46 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 Walla Walla

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 34.8 Information 42.9 Finance and Insurance 45.0 Accommodation and Food Services 46.1 Other Services 47.4 Retail Trade 51.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 52.5

Construction in Other Washington Metros

Yakima 39.6 #105/342 Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard 53.0 #226/342 Kennewick-Richland 60.8 #288/342 Spokane-Spokane Valley 60.9 #289/342 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater 64.3 #309/342 Longview-Kelso 64.8 #311/342 Mount Vernon-Anacortes 71.4 #332/342 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 74.5 #338/342 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee 76.9 #340/342 Bellingham 77.4 #341/342

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 Walla Walla's construction sector, the employment growth component (97.1) 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.