NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Eau Claire, WI

Metro Market Score 45.5 (Moderate), ranked #87 of 378 metros. 578 establishments, 11,227 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 45.5
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 Eau Claire's retail trade sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 87.6. Combined with a 45.5 market score, this metro sits in the top quartile for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
84.1
LQ: 1.32
Rank #318 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
33.3
$35,985 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 87.6
Employment growth index
Rank #48 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
62.2
YoY wage change index

578 Retail Trade Firms in Eau Claire

578
Establishments
+0.2% YoY
11,227
Total Employment
+2.0% YoY
$35,985
Average Annual Wage
+0.1% YoY
1.32
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Eau Claire vs Wisconsin Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Wisconsin overall. The state ranks #1/51 for entry risk.

Measure Eau Claire WI Statewide
Overall Score 45.5 Moderate 33.3 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #87 of 378 metros #1 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 Eau Claire

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 17.3 Accommodation and Food Services 27.7 Information 28.4 Administrative and Support Services 39.8 Construction 41.4 Finance and Insurance 49.5 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 55.3 Other Services 57.4 Healthcare and Social Assistance 62.1

Retail Trade in Other Wisconsin Metros

Racine-Mount Pleasant 31.0 #9/378 Wausau 34.6 #21/378 La Crosse-Onalaska 34.8 #24/378 Sheboygan 38.0 #36/378 Appleton 39.0 #46/378 Milwaukee-Waukesha 39.2 #47/378 Madison 45.9 #90/378 Oshkosh-Neenah 47.9 #107/378 Kenosha 49.2 #125/378 Green Bay 53.7 #183/378

+ 2 more metros. View all in Wisconsin →

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 Eau Claire's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (84.1) 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.