NAICS 44-45
Retail Trade in Chattanooga, TN
Metro Market Score 38.0 (Moderate), ranked #35 of 378 metros. 2,131 establishments, 28,537 jobs.
Metro Market Assessment
Metro Market Score 38.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate
Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.
Rapid Growth
Employment in Chattanooga's retail trade sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 82.3. Combined with a 38.0 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.
Industry Concentration
30.9
LQ: 1.06
Rank #117 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
47.1
$37,427 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 82.3
Employment growth index
Rank #68 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
65.8
YoY wage change index
2,131 Retail Trade Firms in Chattanooga
2,131
Establishments
+2.2% YoY
28,537
Total Employment
+1.4% YoY
$37,427
Average Annual Wage
+0.8% YoY
1.06
Location Quotient
Above national avg
Chattanooga vs Tennessee Statewide
How this metro's retail trade market compares to Tennessee overall. The state ranks #22/51 for entry risk.
| Measure | Chattanooga | TN Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 38.0 Moderate | 42.8 Elevated |
| Score Type | Metro Market Score | Entry Risk Score |
| Rank | #35 of 378 metros | #22 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 Chattanooga
Retail Trade in Other Tennessee 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 Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA area.
Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.