NAICS 54

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Iowa City, IA

Metro Market Score 62.9 (Difficult), ranked #204 of 261 metros. 894 establishments, 2,897 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 62.9
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

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

Iowa City's professional, scientific, and technical services sector saw employment decline over the past year (growth trend: 5.0). That contraction, combined with a 62.9 market score, puts this metro in the bottom quartile for market conditions. Understand why the local market is shrinking before committing.

Industry Concentration
33.7
LQ: 0.45
Rank #88 of 261 metros
Wage Competitiveness
64.4
$92,162 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 5.0
Employment growth index
Rank #249 of 261 metros
Wage Pressure
49.3
YoY wage change index

894 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Firms in Iowa City

894
Establishments
+1.1% YoY
2,897
Total Employment
-8.6% YoY
$92,162
Average Annual Wage
+8.4% YoY
0.45
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Iowa City 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 Iowa City IA Statewide
Overall Score 62.9 Difficult 31.1 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #204 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 Iowa City

Construction 29.9 Information 30.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 31.1 Other Services 32.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 40.0 Retail Trade 42.0 Accommodation and Food Services 44.5 Administrative and Support Services 51.4 Finance and Insurance 59.2

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Other Iowa Metros

Dubuque 45.0 #113/261 Ames 46.9 #126/261 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 52.1 #152/261

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 Iowa City's professional, scientific, and technical services sector, the employment growth component (95.0) 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.