Selling a Business in Monroe County

Monroe County has 17,484 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

Monroe County by the numbers

17,484

17,484

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

55,080

55,080

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

350,205

350,205

EMPLOYMENT

$20.0 billion

$20.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

7,327

7,327

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 Monroe County compares

  • Monroe County ranks 9th of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Monroe County, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 7,327 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Monroe County ranks 9th of 62 New York counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Monroe County, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 7,327 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 2,190 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,984 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,894 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,757 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,720 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 2,190 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,984 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 1,894 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,757 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 1,720 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Monroe County

Retail, health care and social assistance, professional and technical services, repair, personal care and other services

Every kind of business we sell in Monroe County

These are the industries in Monroe 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

1,959 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • General Contracting: 560 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 320 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 294 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 202 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 202 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

1,671 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Financial & Professional Services

981 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Medical Practices

959 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Retail Stores

811 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Manufacturing

597 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Automotive & Boat

584 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Auto Repair: 248 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 16 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

483 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 222 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 222 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

466 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Hair Salons: 232 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

426 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Wholesale & Distribution

423 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

316 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Gas Stations: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Technology & Media

275 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Education & Childcare

234 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Daycare Centers: 216 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

234 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 28 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.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

184 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Hospitality & Travel

182 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Transportation Services: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 18 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

138 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Senior Care & Living

137 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Pet Services

88 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Energy & Utilities

68 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

These are the industries in Monroe 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

1,959 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • General Contracting: 560 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 320 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 294 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 202 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 202 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

1,671 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Financial & Professional Services

981 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Medical Practices

959 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Retail Stores

811 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Manufacturing

597 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Automotive & Boat

584 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Auto Repair: 248 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 120 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 16 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: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

483 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 222 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 222 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 212 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

466 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Hair Salons: 232 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

426 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Wholesale & Distribution

423 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

316 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Gas Stations: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 131 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Technology & Media

275 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Education & Childcare

234 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Daycare Centers: 216 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

234 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 28 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.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

184 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Hospitality & Travel

182 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

  • Transportation Services: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Hotels: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 18 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

138 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Senior Care & Living

137 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Pet Services

88 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Energy & Utilities

68 related employer businesses in Monroe County.

Working with owners in Monroe County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Monroe County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Monroe 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 Monroe 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