Selling a Business in Trenton

Owners in the Trenton area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 9,683 employer businesses, and 84% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Trenton by the numbers

9,683

9,683

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

84%

84%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

35,660

35,660

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

208,192

208,192

EMPLOYMENT

$18.0 billion

$18.0 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

3,831

3,831

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 Trenton compares

  • The Trenton area ranks 2nd of 3 New Jersey metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Trenton, compared with 12% in New Jersey.

  • 3,831 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Trenton area ranks 2nd of 3 New Jersey metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 0.7% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 16% of employer businesses in Trenton, compared with 12% in New Jersey.

  • 3,831 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,540 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,215 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,179 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,075 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 875 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,540 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,215 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,179 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,075 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 875 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 Trenton

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

1,002 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • General Contracting: 288 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 248 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

911 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Medical Practices

752 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Retail Stores

486 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Financial & Professional Services

416 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Beauty & Personal Care

270 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Hair Salons: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Automotive & Boat

234 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Auto Repair: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

211 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Manufacturing

192 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Logistics & Transportation

190 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Home Services

170 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Education & Childcare

146 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Daycare Centers: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

144 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Technology & Media

144 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

118 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Health & Fitness

98 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Hospitality & Travel

72 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Transportation Services: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

67 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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.

Senior Care & Living

49 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Pet Services

42 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Trenton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

1,002 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • General Contracting: 288 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 248 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 104 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 95 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 85 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

  • Remediation & Restoration: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

Restaurants & Food

911 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Medical Practices

752 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Retail Stores

486 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Financial & Professional Services

416 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Beauty & Personal Care

270 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Hair Salons: 136 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 67 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Automotive & Boat

234 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Auto Repair: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Wholesale & Distribution

211 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Manufacturing

192 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Logistics & Transportation

190 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Home Services

170 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Education & Childcare

146 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Daycare Centers: 110 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Gas Stations & Convenience

144 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Technology & Media

144 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

118 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Health & Fitness

98 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Hospitality & Travel

72 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Transportation Services: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • 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.

  • Travel Agencies: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

67 related employer businesses in Trenton.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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.

Senior Care & Living

49 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Pet Services

42 related employer businesses in Trenton.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Trenton.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Trenton

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Trenton ask

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

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 Trenton?

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 Trenton

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