NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Walla Walla, WA

Metro Market Score 51.0 (Challenging), ranked #153 of 378 metros. 170 establishments, 2,381 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 51.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

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

⚡Rising Wages

Retail Trade employment in Walla Walla contracted year-over-year, placing the growth trend in the upper half at 6.3. Declining job counts can indicate consolidation, population shifts, or reduced local demand. Due diligence on the local economy is especially important here.

Industry Concentration
2.6
LQ: 0.82
Rank #10 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
30.7
$35,851 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 6.3
Employment growth index
Rank #355 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
73.1
YoY wage change index

170 Retail Trade Firms in Walla Walla

170
Establishments
-5.6% YoY
2,381
Total Employment
-4.8% YoY
$35,851
Average Annual Wage
+2.2% YoY
0.82
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Walla Walla vs Washington Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Washington overall. The state ranks #20/51 for entry risk.

Measure Walla Walla WA Statewide
Overall Score 51.0 Challenging 42.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #153 of 378 metros #20 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 Walla Walla

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 34.8 Construction 41.5 Information 42.9 Finance and Insurance 45.0 Accommodation and Food Services 46.1 Other Services 47.4 Healthcare and Social Assistance 52.5

Retail Trade in Other Washington Metros

Bellingham 58.5 #237/378 Kennewick-Richland 58.9 #242/378 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 60.7 #263/378 Yakima 67.8 #326/378 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater 69.2 #329/378 Longview-Kelso 69.3 #332/378 Spokane-Spokane Valley 69.7 #334/378 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee 69.9 #337/378 Mount Vernon-Anacortes 71.8 #348/378 Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard 74.0 #361/378

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 Walla Walla's retail trade sector, the employment growth component (93.7) 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.