Selling a Business in Williamsport

Owners in the Williamsport area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 2,744 employer businesses, and 83% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Williamsport by the numbers

2,744

2,744

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

83%

83%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,645

6,645

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

45,994

45,994

EMPLOYMENT

$2.3 billion

$2.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,285

1,285

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 Williamsport compares

  • The Williamsport area ranks 15th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Williamsport, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,285 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Williamsport area ranks 15th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Williamsport, compared with 4% in Pennsylvania.

  • 1,285 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 421 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 354 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 346 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 275 employer businesses

  • Construction: 232 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 421 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 354 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 346 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 275 employer businesses

  • Construction: 232 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 Williamsport

Retail, health care and social assistance, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service

Every kind of business we sell in Williamsport

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

259 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • General Contracting: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

227 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Medical Practices

187 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Retail Stores

149 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Automotive & Boat

127 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Auto Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

127 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Manufacturing

115 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Logistics & Transportation

79 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Wholesale & Distribution

76 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Gas Stations & Convenience

57 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Entertainment & Recreation

50 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • 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: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

46 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Hair Salons: 30 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

39 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

37 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Energy & Utilities

36 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Home Services

34 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

14 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Health & Fitness

10 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

259 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • General Contracting: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Electrical: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

227 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Medical Practices

187 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Retail Stores

149 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Automotive & Boat

127 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Auto Repair: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

127 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Manufacturing

115 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Logistics & Transportation

79 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Wholesale & Distribution

76 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Gas Stations & Convenience

57 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Entertainment & Recreation

50 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • 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: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bowling Alleys: 5 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

46 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Hair Salons: 30 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: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

39 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Daycare Centers: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Senior Care & Living

37 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Energy & Utilities

36 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Home Services

34 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Hospitality & Travel

32 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

14 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Health & Fitness

10 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

Pet Services

3 related employer businesses in Williamsport.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Williamsport

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Williamsport ask

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

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 Williamsport?

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 Williamsport

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