Selling a Business in Alameda County

Alameda County has 42,318 employer businesses, and 85% 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 health care and social assistance.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Alameda County by the numbers

42,318

42,318

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

148,108

148,108

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

749,124

749,124

EMPLOYMENT

$75.8 billion

$75.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

16,784

16,784

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 Alameda County compares

  • Alameda County ranks 7th of 58 California counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 9% of employer businesses in Alameda County, compared with 8% in California.

  • 16,784 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Alameda County ranks 7th of 58 California counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 9% of employer businesses in Alameda County, compared with 8% in California.

  • 16,784 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 6,731 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 5,587 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 4,350 employer businesses

  • Retail: 4,023 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 3,949 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 6,731 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 5,587 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 4,350 employer businesses

  • Retail: 4,023 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 3,949 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Alameda County

These are the industries in Alameda 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.

Restaurants & Food

4,334 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Construction & Engineering

3,662 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • General Contracting: 1,187 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 559 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 498 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 373 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 373 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 369 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 300 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

3,042 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Financial & Professional Services

2,078 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Retail Stores

1,647 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Logistics & Transportation

1,440 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Manufacturing

1,411 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Wholesale & Distribution

1,225 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Automotive & Boat

1,224 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Auto Repair: 549 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 197 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 191 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

962 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Beauty & Personal Care

938 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Hair Salons: 410 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 324 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Education & Childcare

852 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Daycare Centers: 710 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

852 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Property Management: 487 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 285 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 285 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

396 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

392 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Gas Stations: 291 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Senior Care & Living

371 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Health & Fitness

344 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Hospitality & Travel

318 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Hotels: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

298 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 165 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 165 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

140 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Pet Services

120 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

These are the industries in Alameda 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.

Restaurants & Food

4,334 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Construction & Engineering

3,662 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • General Contracting: 1,187 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 559 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 498 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 373 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 373 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 369 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 300 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

3,042 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Financial & Professional Services

2,078 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Retail Stores

1,647 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Logistics & Transportation

1,440 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Manufacturing

1,411 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Wholesale & Distribution

1,225 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Automotive & Boat

1,224 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Auto Repair: 549 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 197 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 191 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

962 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Beauty & Personal Care

938 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Hair Salons: 410 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 324 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Education & Childcare

852 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Daycare Centers: 710 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

852 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Property Management: 487 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 285 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 285 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

396 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

392 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Gas Stations: 291 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Senior Care & Living

371 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Health & Fitness

344 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Hospitality & Travel

318 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Hotels: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

298 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 165 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 165 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

140 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Pet Services

120 related employer businesses in Alameda County.

Working with owners in Alameda County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Alameda County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Alameda 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 Alameda 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