NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Beckley, WV

Metro Market Score 54.2 (Challenging), ranked #191 of 378 metros. 450 establishments, 5,569 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 54.2
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

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

📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages

Despite a mature retail trade presence (concentration: 83.1), Beckley is still adding jobs in this sector. Growth trend sits at 81.0, and the overall 54.2 market score lands in the lower half. Established markets with growth are worth a closer look.

Industry Concentration
83.1
LQ: 1.31
Rank #314 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
42.3
$36,766 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 81.0
Employment growth index
Rank #73 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
85.5
YoY wage change index

450 Retail Trade Firms in Beckley

450
Establishments
+0.7% YoY
5,569
Total Employment
+1.3% YoY
$36,766
Average Annual Wage
+4.6% YoY
1.31
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Beckley vs West Virginia Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to West Virginia overall. The state ranks #47/51 for entry risk.

Measure Beckley WV Statewide
Overall Score 54.2 Challenging 52.8 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #191 of 378 metros #47 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 Beckley

Construction 11.7 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 16.4 Finance and Insurance 24.2 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 27.9 Information 39.6 Accommodation and Food Services 44.4 Administrative and Support Services 46.4 Healthcare and Social Assistance 55.8 Other Services 56.4

Retail Trade in Other West Virginia Metros

Morgantown 31.9 #10/378 Huntington-Ashland 32.4 #12/378 Charleston 50.0 #140/378 Weirton-Steubenville 55.8 #207/378 Parkersburg-Vienna 59.2 #245/378 Wheeling 61.5 #270/378

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 Beckley's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (83.1) 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.