Selling a Business in Mercer County

Mercer County has 2,611 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 retail and health care and social assistance.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Mercer County by the numbers

2,611

2,611

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,861

6,861

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

40,948

40,948

EMPLOYMENT

$1.9 billion

$1.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,209

1,209

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 Mercer County compares

  • Mercer County ranks 29th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 7% of employer businesses in Mercer County, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,209 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Mercer County ranks 29th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 7% of employer businesses in Mercer County, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,209 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 433 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 394 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 354 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 247 employer businesses

  • Construction: 224 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 433 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 394 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 354 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 247 employer businesses

  • Construction: 224 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Mercer County

Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Mercer County

These are the industries in Mercer 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

233 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • General Contracting: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Medical Practices

230 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Restaurants & Food

206 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Retail Stores

184 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Manufacturing

144 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Automotive & Boat

114 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Auto Repair: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Financial & Professional Services

102 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Logistics & Transportation

60 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Beauty & Personal Care

59 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Hair Salons: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

51 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Gas Stations: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

41 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

38 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Home Services

28 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

26 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Energy & Utilities

18 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

These are the industries in Mercer 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

233 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • General Contracting: 65 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Medical Practices

230 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Restaurants & Food

206 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Retail Stores

184 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Manufacturing

144 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Automotive & Boat

114 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Auto Repair: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Financial & Professional Services

102 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Logistics & Transportation

60 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Beauty & Personal Care

59 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Hair Salons: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

51 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Gas Stations: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

41 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

38 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Hotels: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 20 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Home Services

28 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

26 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Energy & Utilities

18 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

15 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Technology & Media

13 related employer businesses in Mercer County.

Working with owners in Mercer County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Mercer County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Mercer 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 Mercer 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