Selling a Business in Somerset County

Somerset County has 1,647 employer businesses, and 88% 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 repair, personal care and other services and retail.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Somerset County by the numbers

1,647

1,647

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,734

4,734

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

18,678

18,678

EMPLOYMENT

$979 million

$979 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

699

699

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 Somerset County compares

  • Somerset County ranks 36th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

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

  • 699 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Somerset County ranks 36th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

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

  • 699 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 284 employer businesses

  • Retail: 236 employer businesses

  • Construction: 180 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 160 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 152 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 284 employer businesses

  • Retail: 236 employer businesses

  • Construction: 180 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 160 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 152 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Somerset County

Repair, personal care and other services, retail, construction, health care and social assistance

Every kind of business we sell in Somerset County

These are the industries in Somerset 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

194 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • General Contracting: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

117 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Medical Practices

86 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Manufacturing

78 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Automotive & Boat

73 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 17 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: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

72 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Logistics & Transportation

68 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Financial & Professional Services

49 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Wholesale & Distribution

37 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Hospitality & Travel

33 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Hotels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

31 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Gas Stations: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

26 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Hair Salons: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

22 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Home Services

15 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Senior Care & Living

12 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Education & Childcare

11 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

These are the industries in Somerset 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

194 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • General Contracting: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Plumbing: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

117 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Medical Practices

86 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Manufacturing

78 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Automotive & Boat

73 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

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

  • Car Dealerships: 17 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: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Retail Stores

72 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Logistics & Transportation

68 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Financial & Professional Services

49 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Wholesale & Distribution

37 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Hospitality & Travel

33 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Hotels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 12 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.

Gas Stations & Convenience

31 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Gas Stations: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Entertainment & Recreation

30 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Beauty & Personal Care

26 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Hair Salons: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

22 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Home Services

15 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Senior Care & Living

12 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Education & Childcare

11 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

  • Daycare Centers: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Somerset County.

Working with owners in Somerset County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Somerset County ask

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

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

How is a business valued in Somerset 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 Somerset 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