Selling a Business in Columbia County
Columbia County has 1,819 employer businesses, and 91% 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 construction and retail.
Areas in New York
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Columbia County by the numbers
1,819
1,819
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
91%
91%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
7,263
7,263
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
16,420
16,420
EMPLOYMENT
$818 million
$818 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
682
682
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 Columbia County compares
Columbia County ranks 32nd of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Columbia County, compared with 3% in New York.
682 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Columbia County ranks 32nd of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Columbia County, compared with 3% in New York.
682 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 269 employer businesses
Retail: 267 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 195 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 188 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 172 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Construction: 269 employer businesses
Retail: 267 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 195 employer businesses
Professional and technical services: 188 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 172 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Columbia County
Construction, retail, accommodation and food service, professional and technical services
Every kind of business we sell in Columbia County
These are the industries in Columbia 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
321 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
General Contracting: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
181 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
75 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
66 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Medical Practices
65 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Primary & Family Care: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
61 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
55 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Creative Agencies: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
50 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Gas Stations & Convenience
45 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Gas Stations: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hospitality & Travel
31 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Hotels: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
24 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Logistics & Transportation
22 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
General Freight Trucking: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
22 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Entertainment & Recreation
20 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Bars & Pubs: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
19 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
18 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Home Services
18 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Property Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
15 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
14 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Hair Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
8 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
5 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
These are the industries in Columbia 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
321 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
General Contracting: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Masonry: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
181 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Manufacturing
75 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
66 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Medical Practices
65 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Primary & Family Care: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
61 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Private Lending: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Technology & Media
55 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Creative Agencies: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
50 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Car Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Gas Stations & Convenience
45 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Gas Stations: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Hospitality & Travel
31 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Hotels: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
24 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Logistics & Transportation
22 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
General Freight Trucking: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
22 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Entertainment & Recreation
20 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Bars & Pubs: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
19 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Health & Fitness
18 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Home Services
18 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Property Management: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
15 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
14 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Hair Salons: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
8 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
5 related employer businesses in Columbia County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Columbia County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Columbia County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Columbia County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Columbia County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Columbia 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 Columbia 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