NAICS 23

Construction in Madison, WI

Metro Market Score 52.1 (Challenging), ranked #216 of 342 metros. 1,704 establishments, 19,763 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 52.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

💰High-Cost Market

At #216 of 342 metros, Madison's construction sector scores 52.1 on the market index. Concentration (42.1), wage levels (81.9), and growth (49.7) all track close to the median. Local factors like lease costs and client access will matter more than macro signals.

Industry Concentration
42.1
LQ: 0.92
Rank #144 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
81.9
$81,545 avg wage
Growth Trend
49.7
Employment growth index
Rank #173 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
30.3
YoY wage change index

1,704 Construction Firms in Madison

1,704
Establishments
+4.7% YoY
19,763
Total Employment
+1.8% YoY
$81,545
Average Annual Wage
+3.0% YoY
0.92
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Madison vs Wisconsin Statewide

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

Measure Madison WI Statewide
Overall Score 52.1 Challenging 25.1 Low
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #216 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 Madison

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 37.8 Accommodation and Food Services 40.3 Retail Trade 45.9 Other Services 55.0 Information 58.8 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 60.0 Finance and Insurance 72.8

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 Fond du Lac 61.7 #296/342

+ 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 Madison's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (81.9) 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.