NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Fresno, CA

Metro Market Score 35.8 (Moderate), ranked #28 of 378 metros. 2,744 establishments, 43,429 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 35.8
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

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

💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth🌱Emerging Market

Employment in Fresno's retail trade sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 96.6. Combined with a 35.8 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
6.9
LQ: 0.90
Rank #26 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
78.0
$41,049 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 96.6
Employment growth index
Rank #14 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
67.9
YoY wage change index

2,744 Retail Trade Firms in Fresno

2,744
Establishments
+13.5% YoY
43,429
Total Employment
+8.3% YoY
$41,049
Average Annual Wage
+1.2% YoY
0.90
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Fresno vs California Statewide

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

Measure Fresno CA Statewide
Overall Score 35.8 Moderate 44.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #28 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 Fresno

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 23.2 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 30.3 Administrative and Support Services 34.7 Healthcare and Social Assistance 36.3 Construction 37.4 Other Services 37.5 Accommodation and Food Services 39.2 Finance and Insurance 42.2 Information 44.5

Retail Trade in Other California Metros

Visalia 38.4 #39/378 Napa 38.8 #43/378 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara 51.6 #157/378 El Centro 53.6 #180/378 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 Fresno's retail trade sector, the wage competitiveness component (78.0) 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.