Selling a Business in Fairfax County

Fairfax County has 31,931 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Fairfax County by the numbers

31,931

31,931

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

130,037

130,037

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

696,002

696,002

EMPLOYMENT

$69.8 billion

$69.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

11,531

11,531

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 Fairfax County compares

  • Fairfax County ranks 1st of 133 Virginia counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 27% of employer businesses in Fairfax County, compared with 15% in Virginia.

  • 11,531 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Fairfax County ranks 1st of 133 Virginia counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 27% of employer businesses in Fairfax County, compared with 15% in Virginia.

  • 11,531 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 8,637 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 3,881 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,824 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 2,571 employer businesses

  • Construction: 2,479 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 8,637 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 3,881 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,824 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 2,571 employer businesses

  • Construction: 2,479 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Fairfax County

Professional and technical services, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Fairfax County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fairfax 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

3,041 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • General Contracting: 990 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 554 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 476 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 296 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 296 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 271 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 182 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

2,724 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Restaurants & Food

2,464 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Financial & Professional Services

2,094 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Retail Stores

1,194 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Beauty & Personal Care

750 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Hair Salons: 387 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 141 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Home Services

724 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 352 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 352 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 300 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

674 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Automotive & Boat

562 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Auto Repair: 242 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

468 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Daycare Centers: 362 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

419 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Logistics & Transportation

377 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

368 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Manufacturing

300 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

284 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Gas Stations: 189 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Health & Fitness

260 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Hospitality & Travel

219 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Hotels: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

158 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Pet Services

121 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Entertainment & Recreation

117 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

  • Arcades & FECs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

58 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fairfax 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

3,041 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • General Contracting: 990 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 554 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 476 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 296 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 296 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 271 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 182 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Masonry: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

2,724 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Restaurants & Food

2,464 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Financial & Professional Services

2,094 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Retail Stores

1,194 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Beauty & Personal Care

750 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Hair Salons: 387 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 141 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Home Services

724 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Residential Cleaning: 352 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 352 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Property Management: 300 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Pest Control: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

674 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Automotive & Boat

562 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Auto Repair: 242 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 84 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

468 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Daycare Centers: 362 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Wholesale & Distribution

419 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Logistics & Transportation

377 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

368 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Manufacturing

300 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

284 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Gas Stations: 189 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Health & Fitness

260 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Hospitality & Travel

219 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Hotels: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 64 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

158 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Pet Services

121 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Entertainment & Recreation

117 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

  • Arcades & FECs: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Energy & Utilities

58 related employer businesses in Fairfax County.

Working with owners in Fairfax County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Fairfax County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Fairfax 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 Fairfax 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 Fairfax 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