Selling a Business in Carson City

Owners in the Carson City area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 1,962 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Carson City by the numbers

1,962

1,962

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,994

4,994

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

22,826

22,826

EMPLOYMENT

$1.3 billion

$1.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

797

797

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 Carson City compares

  • The Carson City area ranks 3rd of 3 Nevada metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Carson City, compared with 3% in Nevada.

  • 797 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Carson City area ranks 3rd of 3 Nevada metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Carson City, compared with 3% in Nevada.

  • 797 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 256 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 233 employer businesses

  • Retail: 208 employer businesses

  • Construction: 201 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 173 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 256 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 233 employer businesses

  • Retail: 208 employer businesses

  • Construction: 201 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 173 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

Every kind of business we sell in Carson City

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Carson City. 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

240 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • General Contracting: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

155 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Restaurants & Food

147 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Financial & Professional Services

126 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Automotive & Boat

73 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

63 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Manufacturing

60 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Wholesale & Distribution

45 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Home Services

33 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

29 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Beauty & Personal Care

25 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Hair Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Logistics & Transportation

25 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Entertainment & Recreation

24 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Hospitality & Travel

17 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Technology & Media

14 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Carson City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Carson City. 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

240 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • General Contracting: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Medical Practices

155 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Restaurants & Food

147 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Financial & Professional Services

126 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Automotive & Boat

73 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Auto Repair: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

63 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Manufacturing

60 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Wholesale & Distribution

45 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Home Services

33 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

29 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Beauty & Personal Care

25 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Hair Salons: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Logistics & Transportation

25 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Entertainment & Recreation

24 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Health & Fitness

23 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Hospitality & Travel

17 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Hotels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Carson City.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

16 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Technology & Media

14 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Carson City.

Energy & Utilities

3 related employer businesses in Carson City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Carson City

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Carson City ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Carson City?

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 Carson City?

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 Carson City

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