Selling a Business in Santa Fe

Owners in the Santa Fe area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,976 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Santa Fe by the numbers

4,976

4,976

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

17,772

17,772

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

48,934

48,934

EMPLOYMENT

$2.6 billion

$2.6 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,835

1,835

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 Santa Fe compares

  • The Santa Fe area ranks 2nd of 4 New Mexico metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Santa Fe, compared with 10% in New Mexico.

  • 1,835 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Santa Fe area ranks 2nd of 4 New Mexico metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Santa Fe, compared with 10% in New Mexico.

  • 1,835 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 793 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 649 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 571 employer businesses

  • Construction: 547 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 488 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 793 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 649 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 571 employer businesses

  • Construction: 547 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 488 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 Santa Fe

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Santa Fe. 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

613 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • General Contracting: 208 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 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

396 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Retail Stores

356 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Medical Practices

342 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Financial & Professional Services

302 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Automotive & Boat

125 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Auto Repair: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

121 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Home Services

110 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Hospitality & Travel

94 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Hotels: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

76 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Hair Salons: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Manufacturing

75 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

50 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Logistics & Transportation

48 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Wholesale & Distribution

46 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Gas Stations & Convenience

32 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Pet Services

30 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

Energy & Utilities

24 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Education & Childcare

22 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Santa Fe. 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

613 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • General Contracting: 208 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 80 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 78 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 52 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 7 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

396 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Retail Stores

356 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Medical Practices

342 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Financial & Professional Services

302 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Automotive & Boat

125 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Auto Repair: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

121 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Home Services

110 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Hospitality & Travel

94 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Hotels: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 61 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

76 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Hair Salons: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x 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.

Manufacturing

75 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

50 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Logistics & Transportation

48 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Wholesale & Distribution

46 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Gas Stations & Convenience

32 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Pet Services

30 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Entertainment & Recreation

27 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

Energy & Utilities

24 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

Education & Childcare

22 related employer businesses in Santa Fe.

  • Daycare Centers: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Santa Fe

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Santa Fe ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Santa Fe?

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 Santa Fe?

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 Santa Fe

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