Selling a Business in Jefferson City

Owners in the Jefferson City area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,606 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Jefferson City by the numbers

3,606

3,606

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,019

11,019

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

55,768

55,768

EMPLOYMENT

$2.9 billion

$2.9 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,588

1,588

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 Jefferson City compares

  • The Jefferson City area ranks 6th of 8 Missouri metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Jefferson City, compared with 10% in Missouri.

  • 1,588 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Jefferson City area ranks 6th of 8 Missouri metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Jefferson City, compared with 10% in Missouri.

  • 1,588 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 496 employer businesses

  • Construction: 480 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 458 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 392 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 296 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 496 employer businesses

  • Construction: 480 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 458 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 392 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 296 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 Jefferson City

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Jefferson 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

506 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • General Contracting: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

259 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Financial & Professional Services

223 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Retail Stores

174 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Medical Practices

169 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Automotive & Boat

141 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Auto Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

107 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

81 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Senior Care & Living

65 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Logistics & Transportation

62 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Wholesale & Distribution

62 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Education & Childcare

60 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Daycare Centers: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

51 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Home Services

44 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Hospitality & Travel

41 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Hotels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

40 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Beauty & Personal Care

34 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

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

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Jefferson 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

506 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • General Contracting: 121 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Landscaping: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

  • Carpentry & Framing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

259 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Financial & Professional Services

223 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Retail Stores

174 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Medical Practices

169 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Automotive & Boat

141 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Auto Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

107 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Gas Stations & Convenience

81 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Senior Care & Living

65 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Logistics & Transportation

62 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Wholesale & Distribution

62 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Education & Childcare

60 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Daycare Centers: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

51 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Home Services

44 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Hospitality & Travel

41 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Hotels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

40 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Beauty & Personal Care

34 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

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

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

  • Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Energy & Utilities

29 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in Jefferson City.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Jefferson City

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Jefferson City ask

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