Selling a Business in Scott County
Scott County has 970 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 retail and health care and social assistance.
Areas in Missouri
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Scott County by the numbers
970
970
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,516
2,516
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
14,139
14,139
EMPLOYMENT
$679 million
$679 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
453
453
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 Scott County compares
Scott County ranks 26th of 115 Missouri counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 12.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Transportation and warehousing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Scott County, compared with 4% in Missouri.
453 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Scott County ranks 26th of 115 Missouri counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 12.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Transportation and warehousing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Scott County, compared with 4% in Missouri.
453 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 140 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 131 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 106 employer businesses
Construction: 89 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 86 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 140 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 131 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 106 employer businesses
Construction: 89 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 86 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Scott County
Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, construction
Every kind of business we sell in Scott County
These are the industries in Scott 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
77 related employer businesses in Scott County.
General Contracting: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Restaurants & Food
71 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
63 related employer businesses in Scott County.
General Freight Trucking: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
60 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Primary & Family Care: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
51 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
45 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
30 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Manufacturing
30 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Metal Fabrication: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
24 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Senior Living Communities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Gas Stations & Convenience
23 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Gas Stations: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
22 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Wholesale & Distribution
22 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
14 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Education & Childcare
11 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
6 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
These are the industries in Scott 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
77 related employer businesses in Scott County.
General Contracting: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Electrical: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Restaurants & Food
71 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
63 related employer businesses in Scott County.
General Freight Trucking: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
60 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Primary & Family Care: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
51 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Private Lending: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Retail Stores
45 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
30 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Collision Repair: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Manufacturing
30 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Metal Fabrication: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
24 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Senior Living Communities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Gas Stations & Convenience
23 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Gas Stations: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
22 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Wholesale & Distribution
22 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
14 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Residential Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Property Management: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Pest Control: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
14 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Hotels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Education & Childcare
11 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
6 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Health & Fitness
3 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Scott County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Scott County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Scott County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Scott County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Scott County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Scott 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 Scott 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