Selling a Business in Muscatine County
Muscatine County has 949 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.
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LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Muscatine County by the numbers
949
949
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
85%
85%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
2,318
2,318
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
19,519
19,519
EMPLOYMENT
$1.2 billion
$1.2 billion
ANNUAL PAYROLL
400
400
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 Muscatine County compares
Muscatine County ranks 17th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 0.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Muscatine County, compared with 4% in Iowa.
400 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Muscatine County ranks 17th of 99 Iowa counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses fell 0.4% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 6% of employer businesses in Muscatine County, compared with 4% in Iowa.
400 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 129 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 104 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 99 employer businesses
Construction: 89 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 129 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 104 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 102 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 99 employer businesses
Construction: 89 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Muscatine County
Retail, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service, repair, personal care and other services
Every kind of business we sell in Muscatine County
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Muscatine 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
92 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 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
81 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
53 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
General Freight Trucking: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
NEMT & Passenger Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.1x SDE.
Medical Practices
51 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Dental Practices: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
50 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Insurance Agencies: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Manufacturing
45 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Metal Fabrication: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Retail Stores
38 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
36 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Auto Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
29 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Gas Stations: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Services
13 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Property Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
12 related employer businesses in Muscatine 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.
Wholesale & Distribution
11 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
4 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Muscatine 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
92 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
General Contracting: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 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
81 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Full-Service Restaurants: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Coffee Shops: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Logistics & Transportation
53 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
General Freight Trucking: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Warehousing & Fulfillment: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
NEMT & Passenger Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.1x SDE.
Medical Practices
51 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Dental Practices: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Primary & Family Care: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Veterinary Medicine: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
50 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Insurance Agencies: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Wealth Management: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Manufacturing
45 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Metal Fabrication: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical & Chemical Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Retail Stores
38 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Home Decor & Furniture: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Automotive & Boat
36 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Auto Repair: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Gas Stations & Convenience
29 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Gas Stations: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Home Services
13 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Property Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Residential Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
12 related employer businesses in Muscatine 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.
Wholesale & Distribution
11 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
10 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Hotels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Transportation Services: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.
Education & Childcare
8 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Daycare Centers: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
7 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Gyms & Health Clubs: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.
Yoga Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.
Pilates Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.
Personal Training Studios: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.
Beauty & Personal Care
5 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
4 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Energy & Utilities
3 related employer businesses in Muscatine County.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Muscatine County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Muscatine County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Muscatine County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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