Selling a Business in King County

King County has 70,376 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

King County by the numbers

70,376

70,376

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

202,770

202,770

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

1,305,947

1,305,947

EMPLOYMENT

$143.7 billion

$143.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

26,715

26,715

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 King County compares

  • King County ranks 1st of 39 Washington counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 16% of employer businesses in King County, compared with 12% in Washington.

  • 26,715 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • King County ranks 1st of 39 Washington counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 16% of employer businesses in King County, compared with 12% in Washington.

  • 26,715 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 11,053 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 8,762 employer businesses

  • Construction: 6,775 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 6,747 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 6,068 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 11,053 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 8,762 employer businesses

  • Construction: 6,775 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 6,747 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 6,068 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in King County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in King 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

7,738 related employer businesses in King County.

  • General Contracting: 2,825 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 1,475 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 843 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 654 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 477 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 468 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 468 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 377 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 362 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

6,071 related employer businesses in King County.

Financial & Professional Services

5,346 related employer businesses in King County.

Medical Practices

4,697 related employer businesses in King County.

Retail Stores

2,396 related employer businesses in King County.

Technology & Media

1,909 related employer businesses in King County.

Home Services

1,689 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Property Management: 952 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 649 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 649 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,639 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Hair Salons: 856 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 434 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

1,583 related employer businesses in King County.

Wholesale & Distribution

1,549 related employer businesses in King County.

Manufacturing

1,512 related employer businesses in King County.

Automotive & Boat

1,444 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Auto Repair: 557 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 216 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 209 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

1,131 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Daycare Centers: 994 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

903 related employer businesses in King County.

Entertainment & Recreation

657 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 342 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 342 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

585 related employer businesses in King County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

555 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Gas Stations: 393 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Hospitality & Travel

507 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Hotels: 312 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 312 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

479 related employer businesses in King County.

Pet Services

337 related employer businesses in King County.

Energy & Utilities

210 related employer businesses in King County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in King 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

7,738 related employer businesses in King County.

  • General Contracting: 2,825 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 1,475 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 843 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 654 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 477 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 468 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 468 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 377 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 362 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 129 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

6,071 related employer businesses in King County.

Financial & Professional Services

5,346 related employer businesses in King County.

Medical Practices

4,697 related employer businesses in King County.

Retail Stores

2,396 related employer businesses in King County.

Technology & Media

1,909 related employer businesses in King County.

Home Services

1,689 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Property Management: 952 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 649 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 649 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

1,639 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Hair Salons: 856 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 434 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 269 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

1,583 related employer businesses in King County.

Wholesale & Distribution

1,549 related employer businesses in King County.

Manufacturing

1,512 related employer businesses in King County.

Automotive & Boat

1,444 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Auto Repair: 557 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 216 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 209 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

1,131 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Daycare Centers: 994 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 137 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Senior Care & Living

903 related employer businesses in King County.

Entertainment & Recreation

657 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 342 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 342 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 249 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

585 related employer businesses in King County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

555 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Gas Stations: 393 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 162 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Hospitality & Travel

507 related employer businesses in King County.

  • Hotels: 312 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 312 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 90 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

479 related employer businesses in King County.

Pet Services

337 related employer businesses in King County.

Energy & Utilities

210 related employer businesses in King County.

Working with owners in King County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in King County ask

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