NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in El Centro, CA

Metro Market Score 53.6 (Challenging), ranked #180 of 378 metros. 444 establishments, 8,192 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 53.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

⚡Rising Wages

El Centro pairs above-average retail trade concentration (69.0) with positive employment growth (trend: 56.4). The market is competitive but still expanding, leaving room for well-positioned new entrants.

Industry Concentration
69.0
LQ: 1.22
Rank #261 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
32.0
$35,892 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 56.4
Employment growth index
Rank #166 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
76.2
YoY wage change index

444 Retail Trade Firms in El Centro

444
Establishments
+2.5% YoY
8,192
Total Employment
+0.0% YoY
$35,892
Average Annual Wage
+2.8% YoY
1.22
Location Quotient
Above national avg

El Centro vs California Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to California overall. The state ranks #28/51 for entry risk.

Measure El Centro CA Statewide
Overall Score 53.6 Challenging 44.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #180 of 378 metros #28 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 El Centro

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 10.5 Information 12.3 Healthcare and Social Assistance 21.7 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 22.5 Finance and Insurance 28.6 Construction 31.0 Administrative and Support Services 37.6 Other Services 43.8 Accommodation and Food Services 54.7

Retail Trade in Other California Metros

Fresno 35.8 #28/378 Visalia 38.4 #39/378 Napa 38.8 #43/378 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara 51.6 #157/378 Salinas 53.7 #184/378 Hanford-Corcoran 55.6 #204/378 Merced 56.2 #211/378 Bakersfield-Delano 56.4 #213/378 Yuba City 56.6 #215/378 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario 58.5 #239/378

+ 14 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 El Centro's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (69.0) 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.