Selling a Business in Miami

Owners in the Miami area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 222,388 employer businesses, and 90% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Miami by the numbers

222,388

222,388

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

90%

90%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

1,494,251

1,494,251

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

2,428,299

2,428,299

EMPLOYMENT

$158.7 billion

$158.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

61,219

61,219

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 Miami compares

  • The Miami area ranks 1st of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 7% of employer businesses in Miami, compared with 5% in Florida.

  • 61,219 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Miami area ranks 1st of 22 Florida metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 12.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Wholesale makes up 7% of employer businesses in Miami, compared with 5% in Florida.

  • 61,219 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 40,122 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 26,082 employer businesses

  • Retail: 23,737 employer businesses

  • Construction: 17,761 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 17,515 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 40,122 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 26,082 employer businesses

  • Retail: 23,737 employer businesses

  • Construction: 17,761 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 17,515 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 Miami

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

19,628 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • General Contracting: 5,150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 3,864 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 2,638 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 2,638 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 2,293 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 2,080 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 1,736 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 756 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 609 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 252 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 147 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

18,803 related employer businesses in Miami.

Medical Practices

18,382 related employer businesses in Miami.

Restaurants & Food

13,709 related employer businesses in Miami.

Retail Stores

10,390 related employer businesses in Miami.

Wholesale & Distribution

7,218 related employer businesses in Miami.

Logistics & Transportation

5,940 related employer businesses in Miami.

Automotive & Boat

5,931 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Auto Repair: 1,998 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 1,158 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 987 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 673 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 420 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 363 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 164 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

5,444 related employer businesses in Miami.

Technology & Media

4,844 related employer businesses in Miami.

Beauty & Personal Care

4,356 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Hair Salons: 2,590 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 969 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 969 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 969 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 495 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 302 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

3,728 related employer businesses in Miami.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3,153 related employer businesses in Miami.

Gas Stations & Convenience

2,354 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Gas Stations: 1,203 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 1,151 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

  • Truck Stops & Travel Centers. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Hospitality & Travel

2,091 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Hotels: 945 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 945 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 667 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 450 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

1,789 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Daycare Centers: 1,484 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 305 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

1,341 related employer businesses in Miami.

Senior Care & Living

1,164 related employer businesses in Miami.

Entertainment & Recreation

1,002 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 403 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 386 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 386 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 17 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.

Pet Services

766 related employer businesses in Miami.

Energy & Utilities

630 related employer businesses in Miami.

Land & Agriculture

3 related employer businesses in Miami.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

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

19,628 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • General Contracting: 5,150 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 3,864 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 2,638 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 2,638 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 2,293 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 2,080 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 1,736 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 756 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 609 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 252 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 147 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Financial & Professional Services

18,803 related employer businesses in Miami.

Medical Practices

18,382 related employer businesses in Miami.

Restaurants & Food

13,709 related employer businesses in Miami.

Retail Stores

10,390 related employer businesses in Miami.

Wholesale & Distribution

7,218 related employer businesses in Miami.

Logistics & Transportation

5,940 related employer businesses in Miami.

Automotive & Boat

5,931 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Auto Repair: 1,998 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 1,158 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 987 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 673 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 420 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 363 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 168 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 164 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

5,444 related employer businesses in Miami.

Technology & Media

4,844 related employer businesses in Miami.

Beauty & Personal Care

4,356 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Hair Salons: 2,590 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 969 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 969 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 969 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 495 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 302 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Manufacturing

3,728 related employer businesses in Miami.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

3,153 related employer businesses in Miami.

Gas Stations & Convenience

2,354 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Gas Stations: 1,203 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 1,151 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

  • Truck Stops & Travel Centers. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Hospitality & Travel

2,091 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Hotels: 945 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 945 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 667 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 450 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Education & Childcare

1,789 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Daycare Centers: 1,484 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 305 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

1,341 related employer businesses in Miami.

Senior Care & Living

1,164 related employer businesses in Miami.

Entertainment & Recreation

1,002 related employer businesses in Miami.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 403 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 386 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 386 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 125 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 17 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.

Pet Services

766 related employer businesses in Miami.

Energy & Utilities

630 related employer businesses in Miami.

Land & Agriculture

3 related employer businesses in Miami.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Miami

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Miami ask

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

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 Miami?

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 Miami

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