NAICS 44-45
Retail Trade in Columbia, MO
Metro Market Score 32.6 (Favorable), ranked #13 of 378 metros. 625 establishments, 11,442 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Metro Market Score 32.6
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
Rapid Growth
Columbia ranks in the top 10% for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 32.6, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.
Industry Concentration
35.2
LQ: 1.08
Rank #133 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
37.3
$36,362 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 96.3
Employment growth index
Rank #15 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
66.8
YoY wage change index
625 Retail Trade Firms in Columbia
625
Establishments
+11.8% YoY
11,442
Total Employment
+8.3% YoY
$36,362
Average Annual Wage
+1.0% YoY
1.08
Location Quotient
Above national avg
Columbia vs Missouri Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Missouri overall. The state ranks #42/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Columbia | MO Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 32.6 Favorable | 50.6 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #13 of 378 metros | #42 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
Retail Trade in Other Missouri Metros
Data Sources
- Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Bureau of Labor Statistics. MSA-level establishment counts, employment, wages, and location quotients for the Columbia, MO MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.