Selling a Business in Olympia

Owners in the Olympia area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 6,656 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

Olympia by the numbers

6,656

6,656

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

18,681

18,681

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

86,664

86,664

EMPLOYMENT

$4.6 billion

$4.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,799

2,799

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 Olympia compares

  • The Olympia area ranks 5th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 15% of employer businesses in Olympia, compared with 12% in Washington.

  • 2,799 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Olympia area ranks 5th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 15% of employer businesses in Olympia, compared with 12% in Washington.

  • 2,799 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 980 employer businesses

  • Construction: 873 employer businesses

  • Retail: 767 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 704 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 694 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Health care and social assistance: 980 employer businesses

  • Construction: 873 employer businesses

  • Retail: 767 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 704 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 694 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 Olympia

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

943 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • General Contracting: 315 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 100 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

Restaurants & Food

557 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Medical Practices

539 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Financial & Professional Services

410 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Retail Stores

299 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Automotive & Boat

185 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Auto Repair: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

175 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Beauty & Personal Care

172 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Hair Salons: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Logistics & Transportation

146 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Manufacturing

127 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Senior Care & Living

111 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Gas Stations & Convenience

103 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Wholesale & Distribution

97 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Technology & Media

95 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Education & Childcare

80 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Daycare Centers: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

60 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Entertainment & Recreation

57 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Bars & Pubs: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Hospitality & Travel

51 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Hotels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

50 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Pet Services

43 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Energy & Utilities

26 related employer businesses in Olympia.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

943 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • General Contracting: 315 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 149 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 100 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 79 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Plumbing: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 58 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

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

Restaurants & Food

557 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Medical Practices

539 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Financial & Professional Services

410 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Retail Stores

299 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Automotive & Boat

185 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Auto Repair: 68 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Car Washes: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Boat Dealerships: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

175 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Beauty & Personal Care

172 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Hair Salons: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Logistics & Transportation

146 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Manufacturing

127 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Senior Care & Living

111 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Gas Stations & Convenience

103 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Wholesale & Distribution

97 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Technology & Media

95 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Education & Childcare

80 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Daycare Centers: 76 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

60 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Entertainment & Recreation

57 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Bars & Pubs: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 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.

Hospitality & Travel

51 related employer businesses in Olympia.

  • Hotels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Health & Fitness

50 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Pet Services

43 related employer businesses in Olympia.

Energy & Utilities

26 related employer businesses in Olympia.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Olympia

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Olympia ask

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

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 Olympia?

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 Olympia

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