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Montgomery County

Selling a Business in Montgomery County

Montgomery County has 27,677 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

Montgomery County by the numbers

27,677

27,677

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

86%

86%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

133,803

133,803

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

439,792

439,792

EMPLOYMENT

$35.6 billion

$35.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

9,965

9,965

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 Montgomery County compares

  • Montgomery County ranks 1st of 24 Maryland counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 22% of employer businesses in Montgomery County, compared with 15% in Maryland.

  • 9,965 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Montgomery County ranks 1st of 24 Maryland counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 22% of employer businesses in Montgomery County, compared with 15% in Maryland.

  • 9,965 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 5,993 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 4,016 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,590 employer businesses

  • Retail: 2,358 employer businesses

  • Construction: 2,293 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 5,993 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 4,016 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 2,590 employer businesses

  • Retail: 2,358 employer businesses

  • Construction: 2,293 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Montgomery County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Montgomery 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

2,683 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • General Contracting: 991 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 402 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 376 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 262 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 178 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

2,652 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Restaurants & Food

2,107 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Financial & Professional Services

1,939 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Retail Stores

1,067 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Home Services

778 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Property Management: 406 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 322 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 322 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Security Systems: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

578 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Auto Repair: 300 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Technology & Media

578 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Beauty & Personal Care

480 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Hair Salons: 271 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Education & Childcare

400 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Daycare Centers: 344 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Manufacturing

299 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Logistics & Transportation

297 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Wholesale & Distribution

289 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

268 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Gas Stations: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

264 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Health & Fitness

253 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Senior Care & Living

219 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Hospitality & Travel

143 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

138 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Pet Services

88 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Energy & Utilities

66 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Montgomery 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

2,683 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • General Contracting: 991 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 402 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 376 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 262 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 247 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 178 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

2,652 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Restaurants & Food

2,107 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Financial & Professional Services

1,939 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Retail Stores

1,067 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Home Services

778 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Property Management: 406 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 322 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 322 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Security Systems: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

Automotive & Boat

578 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Auto Repair: 300 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Technology & Media

578 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Beauty & Personal Care

480 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Hair Salons: 271 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Education & Childcare

400 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Daycare Centers: 344 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Manufacturing

299 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Logistics & Transportation

297 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Wholesale & Distribution

289 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

268 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Gas Stations: 171 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

264 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Health & Fitness

253 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Senior Care & Living

219 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Hospitality & Travel

143 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

138 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 75 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Pet Services

88 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Energy & Utilities

66 related employer businesses in Montgomery County.

Working with owners in Montgomery County

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Montgomery County ask

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