NAICS 54

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Dubuque, IA

Metro Market Score 45.0 (Moderate), ranked #113 of 261 metros. 410 establishments, 1,905 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 45.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

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

At #113 of 261 metros, Dubuque's professional, scientific, and technical services sector scores 45.0 on the market index. Concentration (38.3), wage levels (54.4), and growth (53.6) all track close to the median. Local factors like lease costs and client access will matter more than macro signals.

Industry Concentration
38.3
LQ: 0.47
Rank #100 of 261 metros
Wage Competitiveness
54.4
$86,956 avg wage
Growth Trend
53.6
Employment growth index
Rank #122 of 261 metros
Wage Pressure
39.7
YoY wage change index

410 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Firms in Dubuque

410
Establishments
+0.5% YoY
1,905
Total Employment
+0.3% YoY
$86,956
Average Annual Wage
+3.7% YoY
0.47
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Dubuque vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's professional, scientific, and technical services market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #2/51 for entry risk.

Measure Dubuque IA Statewide
Overall Score 45.0 Moderate 31.1 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #113 of 261 metros #2 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 Dubuque

Accommodation and Food Services 24.7 Retail Trade 34.4 Other Services 36.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 41.3 Healthcare and Social Assistance 47.7 Administrative and Support Services 48.2 Construction 52.1 Information 58.5 Finance and Insurance 60.1

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 46.9 #126/261 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 52.1 #152/261 Iowa City 62.9 #204/261

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 Dubuque's professional, scientific, and technical services sector, the employment growth component (46.4) 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.