Selling a Business in Yakima

Owners in the Yakima area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,010 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Yakima by the numbers

5,010

5,010

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,525

11,525

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

71,390

71,390

EMPLOYMENT

$3.7 billion

$3.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,212

2,212

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 Yakima compares

  • The Yakima area ranks 7th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Yakima, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 2,212 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Yakima area ranks 7th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 4.3% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Yakima, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 2,212 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 708 employer businesses

  • Construction: 675 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 613 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 551 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 451 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 708 employer businesses

  • Construction: 675 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 613 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 551 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 451 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 Yakima

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

707 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • General Contracting: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 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

512 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Medical Practices

292 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Logistics & Transportation

256 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Automotive & Boat

232 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Car Dealerships: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Repair: 64 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.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

232 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Retail Stores

219 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Manufacturing

181 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Wholesale & Distribution

125 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Gas Stations & Convenience

116 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Education & Childcare

113 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Daycare Centers: 113 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Home Services

86 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Beauty & Personal Care

64 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Nail Salons: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

58 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Bars & Pubs: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x 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

57 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Hotels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 39 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

43 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

37 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Technology & Media

28 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Land & Agriculture

3 related employer businesses in Yakima.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

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

707 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • General Contracting: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 114 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 55 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 12 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

512 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Medical Practices

292 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Logistics & Transportation

256 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Automotive & Boat

232 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Car Dealerships: 66 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Repair: 64 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.

  • Collision Repair: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

232 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Retail Stores

219 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Manufacturing

181 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Wholesale & Distribution

125 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Gas Stations & Convenience

116 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Education & Childcare

113 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Daycare Centers: 113 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Home Services

86 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Beauty & Personal Care

64 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Nail Salons: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

58 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Bars & Pubs: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x 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

57 related employer businesses in Yakima.

  • Hotels: 39 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 39 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: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Senior Care & Living

43 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Health & Fitness

39 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

37 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Energy & Utilities

31 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Technology & Media

28 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Yakima.

Land & Agriculture

3 related employer businesses in Yakima.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Yakima

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Yakima ask

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

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 Yakima?

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 Yakima

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