NAICS 51

Information in Merced, CA

Metro Market Score 16.0 (Favorable), ranked #10 of 294 metros. 32 establishments, 269 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 16.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national information average.

📈Rapid Growth✓Favorable Market🌱Emerging Market

Merced ranks in the top 10% for information market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 16.0, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
2.7
LQ: 0.17
Rank #8 of 294 metros
Wage Competitiveness
23.8
$64,074 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 85.7
Employment growth index
Rank #43 of 294 metros
Wage Pressure
25.3
YoY wage change index

32 Information Firms in Merced

32
Establishments
+3.2% YoY
269
Total Employment
+3.9% YoY
$64,074
Average Annual Wage
+8.8% YoY
0.17
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Merced vs California Statewide

How this metro's information market compares to California overall. The state ranks #51/51 for entry risk.

Measure Merced CA Statewide
Overall Score 16.0 Favorable 56.6 High
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #10 of 294 metros #51 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 Merced

Healthcare and Social Assistance 17.5 Administrative and Support Services 19.7 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 29.9 Construction 30.0 Finance and Insurance 34.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 38.3 Other Services 43.0 Retail Trade 56.2 Accommodation and Food Services 64.8

Information in Other California Metros

El Centro 12.3 #4/294 Vallejo 26.8 #43/294 Bakersfield-Delano 28.7 #54/294 Napa 31.3 #67/294 Santa Cruz-Watsonville 31.9 #71/294 Salinas 32.5 #75/294 Modesto 33.7 #79/294 Visalia 37.0 #100/294 Stockton-Lodi 40.2 #117/294 Redding 41.3 #124/294

+ 13 more metros. View all in California →

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 Merced's information sector, the wage competitiveness component (23.8) 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.