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Harris County

Selling a Business in Harris County

Harris County has 111,215 employer businesses, and 83% 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 retail.

Part of the Houston area.

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LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Harris County by the numbers

111,215

111,215

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

605,074

605,074

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

2,182,164

2,182,164

EMPLOYMENT

$175.8 billion

$175.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

43,945

43,945

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 Harris County compares

  • Harris County ranks 1st of 254 Texas counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Harris County, compared with 5% in Texas.

  • 43,945 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Harris County ranks 1st of 254 Texas counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 6% of employer businesses in Harris County, compared with 5% in Texas.

  • 43,945 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 15,597 employer businesses

  • Retail: 13,613 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 13,458 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 10,973 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 8,802 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 15,597 employer businesses

  • Retail: 13,613 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 13,458 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 10,973 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 8,802 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Harris County

These are the industries in Harris 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

10,078 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Medical Practices

9,739 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Construction & Engineering

8,583 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • General Contracting: 2,395 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 1,484 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 1,187 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 1,187 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 933 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 833 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 677 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 449 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 338 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 122 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

6,999 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Retail Stores

5,165 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Automotive & Boat

3,725 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Auto Repair: 1,376 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 793 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 761 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 384 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 288 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

3,622 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Wholesale & Distribution

3,603 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Manufacturing

3,306 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

2,690 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Gas Stations: 1,909 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 781 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Home Services

2,111 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Property Management: 1,245 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 580 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 580 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,853 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Hair Salons: 997 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 335 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

1,559 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Technology & Media

1,439 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Energy & Utilities

1,250 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Hospitality & Travel

1,196 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Hotels: 877 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 877 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Education & Childcare

1,187 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Daycare Centers: 1,028 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 159 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

837 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 529 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 529 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

686 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Senior Care & Living

507 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Pet Services

387 related employer businesses in Harris County.

These are the industries in Harris 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

10,078 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Medical Practices

9,739 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Construction & Engineering

8,583 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • General Contracting: 2,395 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 1,484 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 1,187 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 1,187 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 933 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 833 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 677 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 449 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 338 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 122 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

6,999 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Retail Stores

5,165 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Automotive & Boat

3,725 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Auto Repair: 1,376 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 793 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 761 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 384 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 288 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 92 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

3,622 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Wholesale & Distribution

3,603 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Manufacturing

3,306 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

2,690 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Gas Stations: 1,909 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 781 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Home Services

2,111 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Property Management: 1,245 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 580 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 580 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 174 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 112 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,853 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Hair Salons: 997 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 446 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 335 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

1,559 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Technology & Media

1,439 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Energy & Utilities

1,250 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Hospitality & Travel

1,196 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Hotels: 877 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 877 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

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

Education & Childcare

1,187 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Daycare Centers: 1,028 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 159 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

837 related employer businesses in Harris County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 529 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 529 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

686 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Senior Care & Living

507 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Pet Services

387 related employer businesses in Harris County.

Working with owners in Harris County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Harris County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Harris 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 Harris 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