Selling a Business in Alameda County
Alameda County has 42,318 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.
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Alameda County by the numbers
42,318
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
148,108
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
749,124
EMPLOYMENT
$75.8 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
16,784
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 Alameda County compares
Alameda County ranks 7th of 58 California counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 4.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Repair, personal care and other services makes up 9% of employer businesses in Alameda County, compared with 8% in California.
16,784 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Professional and technical services: 6,731 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 5,587 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 4,350 employer businesses
Retail: 4,023 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 3,949 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Alameda County
Professional and technical services, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, retail
Every kind of business we sell in Alameda County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Alameda County. 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.
Restaurants & Food
4,334 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 1,564 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 1,496 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 610 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 407 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Liquor, Wine & Beer Stores: 186 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Bakeries: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Construction & Engineering
3,662 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
General Contracting: 1,187 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Interior Finishing: 559 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 498 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Plumbing: 373 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 373 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Electrical: 369 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 300 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Roofing & Siding: 140 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Masonry: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.
Remediation & Restoration: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Carpentry & Framing: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
3,042 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Dental Practices: 981 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 789 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 414 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Health & Hospice: 196 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 178 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 133 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 122 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 105 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Medicine: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Urgent Care Clinics: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
2,078 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Real Estate Brokerages: 800 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 550 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Insurance Agencies: 411 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wealth Management: 194 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Private Lending: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Mortgage Brokerages: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Retail Stores
1,647 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 550 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 317 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 266 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 192 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 124 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Electronics & Repair: 118 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
1,440 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
General Freight Trucking: 892 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 139 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 135 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Commercial Moving: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.0x SDE.
NEMT & Passenger Transport: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.1x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Manufacturing
1,411 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 335 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 289 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Electronics & Tech Manufacturing: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.5x EBITDA.
Printing & Plastics: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 161 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Textile & Apparel Manufacturing: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
1,225 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 413 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 352 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Electronics, IT & Office Equipment Distribution: 259 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Consumer Goods & Apparel Distribution: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Packaging, Paper & JanSan Distribution: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Chemicals, Plastics & Raw Materials Distribution: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Distribution: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
1,224 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Auto Repair: 549 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Collision Repair: 197 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 191 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Dealerships: 137 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: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Marinas: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Boat Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Technology & Media
962 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Creative Agencies: 284 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 3.0x SDE.
Software Companies (SaaS): 240 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x SDE.
Media, Film & Studio Production: 173 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.5x SDE.
Digital Marketing Agencies: 166 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Media: 99 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.8x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
938 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Hair Salons: 410 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Nail Salons: 324 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.
Day Spas: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 172 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Barber Shops: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.
Education & Childcare
852 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Daycare Centers: 710 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Tutoring Centers: 142 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Home Services
852 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Property Management: 487 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 285 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 285 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pest Control: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.
Security Systems: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
396 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Home Infusion: 196 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Compounding Pharmacies: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 116 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME): 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Medical Supply Retail: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
392 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Gas Stations: 291 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 101 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Senior Care & Living
371 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 199 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 141 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Senior Living Communities: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Health & Fitness
344 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 244 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 244 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 244 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 244 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 100 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
318 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Hotels: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Travel Agencies: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.
Entertainment & Recreation
298 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Bars & Pubs: 165 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 165 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Golf Courses: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Arcades & FECs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.
Bowling Alleys: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
140 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Waste Management & Recycling: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Solar & Renewable Energy: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
120 related employer businesses in Alameda County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pet Retail & Specialty Supplies: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE + Inventory.
Where this county sits
Working with owners in Alameda County
Business Advisors of America represents owners selling a business in Alameda County. Matan Michael is the advisor of record on every engagement.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Alameda County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Alameda County?
Our working target is about six months from engagement to closing. The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Alameda County?
We start with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjust 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?
Yes. Buyers sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.
FROM OUR BLOG
Guides for owners in Alameda 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
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