NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Joplin, MO

Metro Market Score 37.4 (Moderate), ranked #34 of 378 metros. 695 establishments, 10,641 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 37.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

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

📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages

Joplin ranks in the top 10% for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 37.4, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
70.9
LQ: 1.23
Rank #268 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
12.2
$33,798 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 92.3
Employment growth index
Rank #30 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
71.5
YoY wage change index

695 Retail Trade Firms in Joplin

695
Establishments
+6.9% YoY
10,641
Total Employment
+3.1% YoY
$33,798
Average Annual Wage
+1.9% YoY
1.23
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Joplin vs Missouri Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Missouri overall. The state ranks #42/51 for entry risk.

Measure Joplin MO Statewide
Overall Score 37.4 Moderate 50.6 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #34 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 Joplin

Finance and Insurance 17.5 Construction 29.0 Administrative and Support Services 32.4 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 32.4 Other Services 32.5 Healthcare and Social Assistance 34.7 Information 37.7

Retail Trade in Other Missouri Metros

Columbia 32.6 #13/378 St. Joseph 41.3 #54/378 St. Louis 47.5 #105/378 Springfield 48.1 #112/378 Kansas City 48.9 #120/378 Jefferson City 51.7 #159/378 Cape Girardeau 66.9 #320/378

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 Joplin's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (70.9) 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.