Selling a Business in Odessa

Owners in the Odessa area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,994 employer businesses, and 81% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Odessa by the numbers

3,994

3,994

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

81%

81%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

19,299

19,299

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

66,236

66,236

EMPLOYMENT

$4.8 billion

$4.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,975

1,975

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 Odessa compares

  • The Odessa area ranks 20th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Mining and oil and gas makes up 7% of employer businesses in Odessa, compared with 1% in Texas.

  • 1,975 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Odessa area ranks 20th of 26 Texas metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Mining and oil and gas makes up 7% of employer businesses in Odessa, compared with 1% in Texas.

  • 1,975 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 516 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 378 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 374 employer businesses

  • Transportation and warehousing: 338 employer businesses

  • Wholesale: 334 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 516 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 378 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 374 employer businesses

  • Transportation and warehousing: 338 employer businesses

  • Wholesale: 334 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 Odessa

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service, transportation and warehousing

Every kind of business we sell in Odessa

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

Logistics & Transportation

358 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Restaurants & Food

331 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Energy & Utilities

275 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Wholesale & Distribution

236 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Construction & Engineering

231 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • General Contracting: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Electrical: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

Retail Stores

191 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Medical Practices

190 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Automotive & Boat

179 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Auto Repair: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 12 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.

Financial & Professional Services

165 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Manufacturing

147 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Hospitality & Travel

50 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Hotels: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Home Services

47 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

37 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Beauty & Personal Care

32 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

32 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Bars & Pubs: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 24 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.

  • 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.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Technology & Media

12 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Pet Services

7 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Senior Care & Living

6 related employer businesses in Odessa.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

Logistics & Transportation

358 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Restaurants & Food

331 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Energy & Utilities

275 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Wholesale & Distribution

236 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Construction & Engineering

231 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • General Contracting: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Electrical: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Interior Finishing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

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

Retail Stores

191 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Medical Practices

190 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Automotive & Boat

179 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Auto Repair: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 12 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.

Financial & Professional Services

165 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Manufacturing

147 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Gas Stations & Convenience

77 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Hospitality & Travel

50 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Hotels: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Home Services

47 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

37 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Beauty & Personal Care

32 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Hair Salons: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

32 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Bars & Pubs: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 24 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.

  • 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.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Odessa.

  • Daycare Centers: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Technology & Media

12 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Pet Services

7 related employer businesses in Odessa.

Senior Care & Living

6 related employer businesses in Odessa.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Odessa

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Odessa ask

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

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 Odessa?

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 Odessa

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