NAICS 23

Construction in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Metro Market Score 49.1 (Challenging), ranked #179 of 342 metros. 3,457 establishments, 37,206 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 49.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national construction average.

💰High-Cost Market

Milwaukee-Waukesha has a relatively low concentration of construction firms (index: 33.6) paired with positive employment growth. This suggests an underpenetrated market where demand may outpace current supply.

Industry Concentration
33.6
LQ: 0.87
Rank #115 of 342 metros
Wage Competitiveness
88.6
$86,239 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 63.2
Employment growth index
Rank #127 of 342 metros
Wage Pressure
37.4
YoY wage change index

3,457 Construction Firms in Milwaukee-Waukesha

3,457
Establishments
+5.0% YoY
37,206
Total Employment
+3.6% YoY
$86,239
Average Annual Wage
+5.9% YoY
0.87
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Milwaukee-Waukesha vs Wisconsin Statewide

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

Measure Milwaukee-Waukesha WI Statewide
Overall Score 49.1 Challenging 25.1 Low
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #179 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha

Accommodation and Food Services 37.3 Retail Trade 39.2 Other Services 51.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 53.9 Administrative and Support Services 54.5 Healthcare and Social Assistance 58.5 Information 67.4 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 67.5 Finance and Insurance 74.4

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 Madison 52.1 #216/342 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha's construction sector, the wage competitiveness component (88.6) 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.