NAICS 23

Construction in Appleton, WI

Metro Market Score 69.6 (Difficult), ranked #328 of 342 metros. 771 establishments, 9,777 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 69.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

💰High-Cost Market

With a 1.49 location quotient, Appleton has an outsized construction presence relative to its population. That concentration (index: 89.8) creates a mature local market where supplier networks are established but differentiation matters more.

Industry Concentration
89.8
LQ: 1.49
Rank #307 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
90.6
$87,642 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 43.6
Employment growth index
Rank #194 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
37.6
YoY wage change index

771 Construction Firms in Appleton

771
Establishments
+5.5% YoY
9,777
Total Employment
+1.1% YoY
$87,642
Average Annual Wage
+6.0% YoY
1.49
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Appleton vs Wisconsin Statewide

How this metro's construction market compares to Wisconsin overall. The state ranks #1/51 for entry risk.

Measure Appleton WI Statewide
Overall Score 69.6 Difficult 25.1 Low
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #328 of 342 metros #1 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 Appleton

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 27.7 Accommodation and Food Services 32.0 Retail Trade 39.0 Finance and Insurance 65.1 Administrative and Support Services 68.5

Construction in Other Wisconsin Metros

La Crosse-Onalaska 24.1 #16/342 Wausau 30.7 #43/342 Kenosha 35.3 #66/342 Sheboygan 35.8 #69/342 Racine-Mount Pleasant 38.1 #87/342 Eau Claire 41.4 #117/342 Janesville-Beloit 44.4 #141/342 Green Bay 47.3 #166/342 Milwaukee-Waukesha 49.1 #179/342 Madison 52.1 #216/342

+ 2 more metros. View all in Wisconsin →

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 Appleton's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (90.6) 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.