NAICS 23

Construction in Yakima, WA

Metro Market Score 39.6 (Moderate), ranked #105 of 342 metros. 811 establishments, 3,965 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 39.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

Construction wages in Yakima run well below the metro average (competitiveness index: 8.2), and year-over-year wage pressure is low at 37.4. For labor-intensive operations, this cost advantage could improve unit economics significantly.

Industry Concentration
9.1
LQ: 0.65
Rank #31 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
8.2
$58,460 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 7.3
Employment growth index
Rank #318 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
37.4
YoY wage change index

811 Construction Firms in Yakima

811
Establishments
+3.3% YoY
3,965
Total Employment
-5.9% YoY
$58,460
Average Annual Wage
+5.9% YoY
0.65
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Yakima vs Washington Statewide

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

Measure Yakima WA Statewide
Overall Score 39.6 Moderate 58.1 High
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #105 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 Yakima

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 17.6 Administrative and Support Services 20.8 Information 30.0 Finance and Insurance 38.7 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 40.5 Accommodation and Food Services 41.3 Other Services 48.6 Healthcare and Social Assistance 53.7 Retail Trade 67.8

Construction in Other Washington Metros

Walla Walla 41.5 #119/342 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 Yakima's construction sector, the employment growth component (92.7) 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.