Selling a Business in Altoona

Owners in the Altoona area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,178 employer businesses, and 82% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Altoona by the numbers

3,178

3,178

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,996

6,996

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

53,149

53,149

EMPLOYMENT

$2.8 billion

$2.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,482

1,482

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 Altoona compares

  • The Altoona area ranks 11th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

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

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 15% of employer businesses in Altoona, compared with 12% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,482 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Altoona area ranks 11th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

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

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 15% of employer businesses in Altoona, compared with 12% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,482 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 493 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 463 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 461 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 300 employer businesses

  • Construction: 298 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 493 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 463 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 461 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 300 employer businesses

  • Construction: 298 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Altoona

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

Every kind of business we sell in Altoona

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

313 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • General Contracting: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x 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.

  • Landscaping: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

267 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Restaurants & Food

256 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Retail Stores

180 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Automotive & Boat

155 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Auto Repair: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

138 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Manufacturing

97 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Beauty & Personal Care

87 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Hair Salons: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

66 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Logistics & Transportation

65 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Gas Stations & Convenience

59 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

56 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Entertainment & Recreation

42 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Bars & Pubs: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

39 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Health & Fitness

30 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Hospitality & Travel

29 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Hotels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Technology & Media

29 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Pet Services

13 related employer businesses in Altoona.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

313 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • General Contracting: 97 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x 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.

  • Landscaping: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

267 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Restaurants & Food

256 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Retail Stores

180 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Automotive & Boat

155 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Auto Repair: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

138 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Manufacturing

97 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Beauty & Personal Care

87 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Hair Salons: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Wholesale & Distribution

66 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Logistics & Transportation

65 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Gas Stations & Convenience

59 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

56 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Entertainment & Recreation

42 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Bars & Pubs: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Home Services

39 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Health & Fitness

30 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Hospitality & Travel

29 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Hotels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Technology & Media

29 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Altoona.

  • Daycare Centers: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

19 related employer businesses in Altoona.

Pet Services

13 related employer businesses in Altoona.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Altoona

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Altoona ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Altoona?

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 Altoona?

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 Altoona

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