NAICS 54

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Columbia, MO

Metro Market Score 42.7 (Moderate), ranked #96 of 261 metros. 573 establishments, 3,937 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 42.7
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

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

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services wages in Columbia run well below the metro average (competitiveness index: 11.5), and year-over-year wage pressure is low at 40.1. For labor-intensive operations, this cost advantage could improve unit economics significantly.

Industry Concentration
47.5
LQ: 0.53
Rank #124 of 261 metros
Wage Competitiveness
11.5
$68,602 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 33.7
Employment growth index
Rank #174 of 261 metros
Wage Pressure
40.1
YoY wage change index

573 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Firms in Columbia

573
Establishments
+4.4% YoY
3,937
Total Employment
-0.7% YoY
$68,602
Average Annual Wage
+3.9% YoY
0.53
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Columbia vs Missouri Statewide

How this metro's professional, scientific, and technical services market compares to Missouri overall. The state ranks #45/51 for entry risk.

Measure Columbia MO Statewide
Overall Score 42.7 Moderate 45.5 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #96 of 261 metros #45 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 Columbia

Construction 19.8 Retail Trade 32.6 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 42.4 Finance and Insurance 72.3

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Other Missouri Metros

Jefferson City 31.7 #44/261

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 Columbia's professional, scientific, and technical services sector, the employment growth component (66.3) 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.