NAICS 54

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Salinas, CA

Metro Market Score 39.8 (Moderate), ranked #80 of 261 metros. 892 establishments, 5,078 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 39.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national professional, scientific, and technical services average.

🌱Emerging Market

Few professional, scientific, and technical services firms have established themselves in Salinas yet. The concentration index of 17.6 is well below the metro median, while employment growth is positive (trend: 61.7). That combination points to a market still building out.

Industry Concentration
17.6
LQ: 0.36
Rank #46 of 261 metros
Wage Competitiveness
61.7
$89,760 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 61.7
Employment growth index
Rank #101 of 261 metros
Wage Pressure
42.6
YoY wage change index

892 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Firms in Salinas

892
Establishments
+0.9% YoY
5,078
Total Employment
+1.0% YoY
$89,760
Average Annual Wage
+5.1% YoY
0.36
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Salinas vs California Statewide

How this metro's professional, scientific, and technical services market compares to California overall. The state ranks #48/51 for entry risk.

Measure Salinas CA Statewide
Overall Score 39.8 Moderate 51.2 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #80 of 261 metros #48 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 Salinas

Construction 31.6 Healthcare and Social Assistance 32.3 Information 32.5 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 37.9 Other Services 50.2 Administrative and Support Services 51.2 Finance and Insurance 52.3 Retail Trade 53.7 Accommodation and Food Services 75.7

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Other California Metros

El Centro 10.5 #3/261 Visalia 17.2 #7/261 Fresno 23.2 #21/261 Modesto 24.5 #24/261 Yuba City 26.3 #28/261 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario 28.0 #33/261 Hanford-Corcoran 29.6 #35/261 Merced 29.9 #38/261 Napa 41.9 #90/261 Chico 43.9 #107/261

+ 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 Salinas's professional, scientific, and technical services sector, the wage competitiveness component (61.7) 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.