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Jefferson County

Selling a Business in Jefferson County

Jefferson County has 2,058 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 construction and retail.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Jefferson County by the numbers

2,058

2,058

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

5,468

5,468

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

31,584

31,584

EMPLOYMENT

$1.7 billion

$1.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

848

848

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 Jefferson County compares

  • Jefferson County ranks 19th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 14% of employer businesses in Jefferson County, compared with 10% in Wisconsin.

  • 848 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Jefferson County ranks 19th of 72 Wisconsin counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 14% of employer businesses in Jefferson County, compared with 10% in Wisconsin.

  • 848 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 287 employer businesses

  • Retail: 266 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 215 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 211 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 210 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 287 employer businesses

  • Retail: 266 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 215 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 211 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 210 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Jefferson County

These are the industries in Jefferson 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

305 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Interior Finishing: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • General Contracting: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

153 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Manufacturing

116 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Financial & Professional Services

105 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Retail Stores

97 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Logistics & Transportation

95 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Medical Practices

92 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Automotive & Boat

77 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Auto Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

56 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

36 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Hotels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 19 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

36 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Beauty & Personal Care

35 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

35 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Gas Stations: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

33 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Home Services

24 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

17 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

16 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

These are the industries in Jefferson 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

305 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Interior Finishing: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • General Contracting: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

153 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Manufacturing

116 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Financial & Professional Services

105 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Retail Stores

97 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Logistics & Transportation

95 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Medical Practices

92 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Automotive & Boat

77 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Auto Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Entertainment & Recreation

56 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Hospitality & Travel

36 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Hotels: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 19 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: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

36 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Beauty & Personal Care

35 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

35 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Gas Stations: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Senior Care & Living

33 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Home Services

24 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

17 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

16 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Energy & Utilities

8 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Technology & Media

8 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Pet Services

5 related employer businesses in Jefferson County.

Working with owners in Jefferson County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Jefferson County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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