Selling a Business in Allegheny County

Allegheny County has 33,812 employer businesses, and 82% 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 health care and social assistance and professional and technical services.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Allegheny County by the numbers

33,812

33,812

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

95,928

95,928

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

709,774

709,774

EMPLOYMENT

$48.1 billion

$48.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

14,651

14,651

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 Allegheny County compares

  • Allegheny County ranks 1st of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Allegheny County, compared with 10% in Pennsylvania.

  • 14,651 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Allegheny County ranks 1st of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.2% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Allegheny County, compared with 10% in Pennsylvania.

  • 14,651 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 4,865 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 4,127 employer businesses

  • Retail: 3,971 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 3,756 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 3,390 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 4,865 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 4,127 employer businesses

  • Retail: 3,971 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 3,756 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 3,390 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Allegheny County

These are the industries in Allegheny 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

3,252 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • General Contracting: 880 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 496 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 450 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 450 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 401 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 362 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 262 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 175 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

2,997 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Medical Practices

2,762 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Financial & Professional Services

1,804 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Retail Stores

1,657 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Automotive & Boat

1,060 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Auto Repair: 457 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 201 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 158 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

936 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Hair Salons: 592 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

757 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Manufacturing

748 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Home Services

686 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Property Management: 338 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 278 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 278 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Security Systems: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

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

Technology & Media

559 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Logistics & Transportation

558 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Entertainment & Recreation

500 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 308 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 308 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

492 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Gas Stations: 318 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

438 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Education & Childcare

425 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Daycare Centers: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

367 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Health & Fitness

344 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Hospitality & Travel

254 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Hotels: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Pet Services

169 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Energy & Utilities

146 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

These are the industries in Allegheny 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

3,252 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • General Contracting: 880 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 496 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 450 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 450 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 401 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 362 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 262 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 175 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

2,997 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Medical Practices

2,762 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Financial & Professional Services

1,804 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Retail Stores

1,657 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Automotive & Boat

1,060 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Auto Repair: 457 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 201 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 158 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

936 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Hair Salons: 592 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 188 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

757 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Manufacturing

748 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Home Services

686 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Property Management: 338 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 278 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 278 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Security Systems: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

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

Technology & Media

559 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Logistics & Transportation

558 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Entertainment & Recreation

500 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 308 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 308 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 130 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

492 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Gas Stations: 318 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

438 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Education & Childcare

425 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Daycare Centers: 396 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

367 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Health & Fitness

344 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Hospitality & Travel

254 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

  • Hotels: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 138 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Pet Services

169 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Energy & Utilities

146 related employer businesses in Allegheny County.

Working with owners in Allegheny County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Allegheny County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Allegheny 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 Allegheny 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