Selling a Business in Whitman County
Whitman County has 873 employer businesses, and 87% 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 accommodation and food service and health care and social assistance.
Areas in Washington
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Whitman County by the numbers
873
873
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
87%
87%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,533
2,533
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
11,417
11,417
EMPLOYMENT
$640 million
$640 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
397
397
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 Whitman County compares
Whitman County ranks 27th of 39 Washington counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 9% of employer businesses in Whitman County, compared with 4% in Washington.
397 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Whitman County ranks 27th of 39 Washington counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.
Wholesale makes up 9% of employer businesses in Whitman County, compared with 4% in Washington.
397 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 118 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 98 employer businesses
Retail: 96 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 91 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Accommodation and food service: 118 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 98 employer businesses
Retail: 96 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 91 employer businesses
Construction: 88 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Whitman County
Accommodation and food service, health care and social assistance, retail, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Whitman County
These are the industries in Whitman 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
89 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
General Contracting: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
87 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
40 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Medical Practices
40 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Dental Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
31 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Property Management: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
27 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Retail Stores
27 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
19 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
General Freight Trucking: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
18 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Gas Stations: 14 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.
Senior Care & Living
16 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Assisted Living Facilities: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
14 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
11 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Whitman 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
9 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
9 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
6 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
5 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
These are the industries in Whitman 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
89 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
General Contracting: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Landscaping: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Plumbing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
87 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Financial & Professional Services
40 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Medical Practices
40 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Dental Practices: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Home Services
31 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Property Management: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
27 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Retail Stores
27 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
19 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
General Freight Trucking: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
18 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Gas Stations: 14 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.
Senior Care & Living
16 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Assisted Living Facilities: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Non-Medical Home Care: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Manufacturing
14 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
11 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Hair Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Whitman 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.
Entertainment & Recreation
9 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Bars & Pubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
9 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
6 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
5 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Wholesale & Distribution
5 related employer businesses in Whitman County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Working with owners in Whitman County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Whitman County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Whitman County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Whitman County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Whitman 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 Whitman 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