The three largest of those industries in Arizona are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (3,160 establishments), dental practices (2,948), and insurance agencies and brokerages (2,865). WETYR buys qualifying Arizona businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Arizona owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Arizona
Arizona ranks 14th in the country for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms, with 3,160 establishments, or 2.3% of the U.S. total, against 2.2% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Arizona categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 3,160 | 44.1 | 1.08 | 14th |
| Dental practices | 2,948 | 41.1 | 1.01 | 16th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,865 | 39.9 | 0.99 | 15th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 2,483 | 34.6 | 1.05 | 15th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,775 | 24.7 | 0.70 | 25th |
| General auto repair shops | 1,649 | 23.0 | 0.91 | 19th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,634 | 22.8 | 0.93 | 16th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,510 | 21.1 | 0.72 | 24th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 1,249 | 17.4 | 0.87 | 18th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 1,201 | 16.7 | 1.12 | 13th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 939 | 13.1 | 0.78 | 17th |
| Childcare centers | 923 | 12.9 | 0.54 | 28th |
| Pool, building and dwelling services | 805 | 11.2 | 2.24 | 5th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 794 | 11.1 | 0.93 | 16th |
| Veterinary practices | 730 | 10.2 | 1.03 | 14th |
Where Arizona is over and under the national average
Per resident, Arizona runs heaviest in pool, building and dwelling services (805 establishments, index 2.24, 5th nationally by count); pest control companies (560 establishments, index 1.75, 6th nationally by count); self-storage facilities (528 establishments, index 1.41, 8th nationally by count). That top index of 2.24 means 124% more pool, building and dwelling services per Arizona resident than the U.S. average. A buyer pricing an Arizona deal in that category has real comparables to work from.
At the other end, Arizona is thinnest in funeral homes (index 0.45) and laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.49). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Arizona counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa County | 22,053 | $80,675 | $371,400 |
| Pima County | 4,524 | $64,323 | $258,300 |
| Yavapai County | 1,401 | $62,430 | $354,300 |
| Pinal County | 1,076 | $73,313 | $268,900 |
| Mohave County | 968 | $53,592 | $233,700 |
| Yuma County | 727 | $56,439 | $173,500 |
| Coconino County | 708 | $67,266 | $379,400 |
| Cochise County | 458 | $58,421 | $183,000 |
| Navajo County | 394 | $50,335 | $165,600 |
| Gila County | 200 | $55,242 | $222,500 |
Maricopa County, Pima County, Yavapai County hold 85% of the 32,894 tracked establishments across 15 Arizona counties or areas. Median household income runs from $37,483 in Apache County to $80,675 in Maricopa County (2.2x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Arizona metro markets
Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Tempe, Peoria and Surprise are the 10 Arizona metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms and dental practices.
- Phoenix, about 1,513,367 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Tempe (8 mi), Scottsdale (9 mi)
- Tucson, about 526,116 residents (Pima County); nearest markets Apache Junction (90 mi), Chandler (92 mi)
- Mesa, about 457,587 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Gilbert (5 mi), Tempe (6 mi)
- Chandler, about 249,146 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Gilbert (4 mi), Mesa (8 mi)
- Glendale, about 234,632 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Peoria (4 mi), Phoenix (9 mi)
- Gilbert, about 229,972 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Chandler (4 mi), Mesa (5 mi)
- Scottsdale, about 226,918 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Tempe (5 mi), Mesa (8 mi)
- Tempe, about 168,228 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Scottsdale (5 mi), Mesa (6 mi)
- Peoria, about 162,592 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Glendale (4 mi), Surprise (8 mi)
- Surprise, about 123,546 residents (Maricopa County); nearest markets Peoria (8 mi), Glendale (12 mi)
Working with WETYR in Arizona
WETYR buys Arizona businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Arizona owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Arizona. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Arizona business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Arizona?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 32,894 establishments in Arizona across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 16th among the 50 states. With roughly 7,172,282 residents, that works out to 45.9 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Arizona holds 1.99% of the U.S. total in these industries and 2.17% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Arizona?
By establishment count the largest are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (3,160), dental practices (2,948), and insurance agencies and brokerages (2,865). Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms alone makes up 9.6% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Arizona is most concentrated in pool, building and dwelling services, pest control companies and self-storage facilities.
Does Arizona tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Arizona taxes personal income, so the gain on a sale is generally subject to state tax in addition to federal tax. How much depends on structure: asset versus stock sale, how the purchase price is allocated, and whether part is paid over time. Model the after-tax number with a Arizona CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Arizona are most of these businesses located?
Maricopa County leads with about 22,053 tracked establishments, followed by Pima County (4,524) and Yavapai County (1,401). Together the top three hold 85% of the state total. Median household income in Maricopa County is $80,675 and the median home value is $371,400. The smallest tracked area is Greenlee County with 6.
Sell by industry in Arizona
Other Southwest states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.