Selling a Business in Carteret County

Carteret County has 2,249 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Carteret County by the numbers

2,249

2,249

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

7,397

7,397

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

21,789

21,789

EMPLOYMENT

$932 million

$932 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

951

951

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 Carteret County compares

  • Carteret County ranks 25th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 15% of employer businesses in Carteret County, compared with 11% in North Carolina.

  • 951 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Carteret County ranks 25th of 100 North Carolina counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 11.0% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 15% of employer businesses in Carteret County, compared with 11% in North Carolina.

  • 951 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 373 employer businesses

  • Construction: 327 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 277 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 233 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 203 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 373 employer businesses

  • Construction: 327 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 277 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 233 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 203 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Carteret County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Carteret 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.

Construction & Engineering

331 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • General Contracting: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

241 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Retail Stores

153 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Medical Practices

140 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Financial & Professional Services

138 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Automotive & Boat

87 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Marinas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Boat Dealerships: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

53 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Property Management: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

49 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Hotels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

45 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Gas Stations: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

37 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

29 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Beauty & Personal Care

28 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Hair Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

23 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Technology & Media

19 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Energy & Utilities

18 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

12 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Carteret 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.

Construction & Engineering

331 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • General Contracting: 127 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Roofing & Siding: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

241 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Retail Stores

153 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Medical Practices

140 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Financial & Professional Services

138 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Automotive & Boat

87 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Marinas: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Boat Dealerships: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

53 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Property Management: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

49 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Hotels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

45 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Gas Stations: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Manufacturing

37 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

29 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Beauty & Personal Care

28 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Hair Salons: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

26 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

23 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Technology & Media

19 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Energy & Utilities

18 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Education & Childcare

15 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Health & Fitness

12 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Carteret County.

Working with owners in Carteret County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Carteret County ask

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

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Carteret 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 Carteret 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