Selling a Business in Silicon Valley

Owners in Silicon Valley sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. This market has 50,322 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled. People also search for this market as San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale or South Bay. The largest industries here are professional and technical services and health care and social assistance.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Silicon Valley by the numbers

50,322

50,322

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

155,909

155,909

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

1,185,619

1,185,619

EMPLOYMENT

$213.6 billion

$213.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

19,486

19,486

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 Silicon Valley compares

  • Silicon Valley ranks 6th of 25 California metro markets for employer businesses.

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

  • Professional and technical services makes up 17% of employer businesses in Silicon Valley, compared with 14% in California.

  • 19,486 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Silicon Valley ranks 6th of 25 California metro markets for employer businesses.

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

  • Professional and technical services makes up 17% of employer businesses in Silicon Valley, compared with 14% in California.

  • 19,486 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 8,761 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 6,467 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 5,230 employer businesses

  • Retail: 4,376 employer businesses

  • Construction: 4,177 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 8,761 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 6,467 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 5,230 employer businesses

  • Retail: 4,376 employer businesses

  • Construction: 4,177 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Silicon Valley

These are the industries in Silicon Valley 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

5,073 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • General Contracting: 1,570 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 728 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 712 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 547 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 547 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 530 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 504 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 197 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

4,779 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Medical Practices

3,974 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Financial & Professional Services

3,239 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Retail Stores

2,030 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Manufacturing

1,786 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Automotive & Boat

1,252 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Auto Repair: 619 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 193 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,224 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Hair Salons: 636 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 338 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 215 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 215 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 215 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

1,198 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Technology & Media

1,191 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Education & Childcare

1,028 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Daycare Centers: 821 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 207 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

965 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Logistics & Transportation

746 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Gas Stations & Convenience

467 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Hospitality & Travel

447 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Hotels: 270 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 270 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

430 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Health & Fitness

398 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Senior Care & Living

366 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Entertainment & Recreation

300 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Bars & Pubs: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

142 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Pet Services

141 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

These are the industries in Silicon Valley 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

5,073 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • General Contracting: 1,570 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 728 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 712 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 547 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 547 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 530 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 504 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 197 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

4,779 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Medical Practices

3,974 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Financial & Professional Services

3,239 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Retail Stores

2,030 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Manufacturing

1,786 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Automotive & Boat

1,252 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Auto Repair: 619 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 193 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,224 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Hair Salons: 636 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 338 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 215 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 215 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 215 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

1,198 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Technology & Media

1,191 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Education & Childcare

1,028 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Daycare Centers: 821 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 207 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

965 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Logistics & Transportation

746 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Gas Stations & Convenience

467 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Hospitality & Travel

447 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Hotels: 270 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 270 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

430 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Health & Fitness

398 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Senior Care & Living

366 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Entertainment & Recreation

300 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

  • Bars & Pubs: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

142 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

Pet Services

141 related employer businesses in Silicon Valley.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Working with owners in Silicon Valley

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Silicon Valley ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Silicon Valley?

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

How is a business valued in Silicon Valley?

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 Silicon Valley

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