Selling a Business in Ada County

Ada County has 17,028 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here. The largest industries here are professional and technical services and construction.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Ada County by the numbers

17,028

17,028

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

51,719

51,719

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

243,004

243,004

EMPLOYMENT

$16.1 billion

$16.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

6,507

6,507

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Ada County compares

  • Ada County ranks 1st of 44 Idaho counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 19.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Ada County, compared with 10% in Idaho.

  • 6,507 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Ada County ranks 1st of 44 Idaho counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 19.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Ada County, compared with 10% in Idaho.

  • 6,507 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 2,304 employer businesses

  • Construction: 2,214 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 2,100 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,614 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 1,396 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 2,304 employer businesses

  • Construction: 2,214 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 2,100 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,614 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 1,396 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Ada County

These are the industries in Ada County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

2,424 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • General Contracting: 658 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 455 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 315 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 186 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 145 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

1,734 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Medical Practices

1,265 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Restaurants & Food

1,081 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Retail Stores

658 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Home Services

465 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 234 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 234 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 180 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

441 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Auto Repair: 177 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

383 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Manufacturing

366 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Wholesale & Distribution

345 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Beauty & Personal Care

343 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Hair Salons: 195 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Technology & Media

321 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Entertainment & Recreation

167 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

163 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

160 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Education & Childcare

153 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Daycare Centers: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

130 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Hospitality & Travel

128 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Hotels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

107 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Gas Stations: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pet Services

90 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Energy & Utilities

73 related employer businesses in Ada County.

These are the industries in Ada County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

2,424 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • General Contracting: 658 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 455 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 315 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 186 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 145 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

1,734 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Medical Practices

1,265 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Restaurants & Food

1,081 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Retail Stores

658 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Home Services

465 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 234 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 234 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 180 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Automotive & Boat

441 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Auto Repair: 177 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

383 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Manufacturing

366 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Wholesale & Distribution

345 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Beauty & Personal Care

343 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Hair Salons: 195 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Technology & Media

321 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Entertainment & Recreation

167 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

163 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

160 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Education & Childcare

153 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Daycare Centers: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

130 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Hospitality & Travel

128 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Hotels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Gas Stations & Convenience

107 related employer businesses in Ada County.

  • Gas Stations: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pet Services

90 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Energy & Utilities

73 related employer businesses in Ada County.

Working with owners in Ada County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Ada County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Ada County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Ada County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.

How is a business valued in Ada County?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Ada County

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article