The three largest of those industries in Maine are landscaping and tree services (971 establishments), plumbing and HVAC contractors (751), and childcare centers (675). WETYR buys qualifying Maine businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Maine owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Maine
Maine ranks 33rd in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 971 establishments, or 0.8% of the U.S. total, against 0.4% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Maine categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 971 | 71.0 | 2.02 | 33rd |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 751 | 54.9 | 1.67 | 38th |
| Childcare centers | 675 | 49.4 | 2.07 | 34th |
| Electrical contractors | 629 | 46.0 | 1.88 | 36th |
| General auto repair shops | 616 | 45.1 | 1.79 | 36th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 601 | 44.0 | 3.75 | 26th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 601 | 44.0 | 1.51 | 39th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 545 | 39.9 | 0.98 | 41st |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 459 | 33.6 | 0.83 | 43rd |
| Dental practices | 444 | 32.5 | 0.80 | 43rd |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 397 | 29.0 | 1.45 | 39th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 272 | 19.9 | 1.33 | 39th |
| Veterinary practices | 219 | 16.0 | 1.62 | 38th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 182 | 13.3 | 1.07 | 37th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 163 | 11.9 | 1.00 | 42nd |
Where Maine is over and under the national average
Per resident, Maine runs heaviest in septic and drainage services (45 establishments, index 4.03, 23rd nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (601 establishments, index 3.75, 26th nationally by count); waste collection and dumpster haulers (84 establishments, index 2.19, 34th nationally by count). That top index of 4.03 means 303% more septic and drainage services per Maine resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, Maine is thinnest in security guard and patrol companies (index 0.42) and advertising and marketing agencies (index 0.55). For an acquirer, an underweight category is worth a second look: scarcity can support pricing, but it also narrows the local buyer pool at exit.
Maine counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County | 2,488 | $87,710 | $372,900 |
| York County | 1,362 | $79,743 | $323,500 |
| Penobscot County | 931 | $59,438 | $176,700 |
| Kennebec County | 724 | $62,118 | $198,300 |
| Androscoggin County | 690 | $64,500 | $211,800 |
| Hancock County | 447 | $64,149 | $250,900 |
| Aroostook County | 400 | $50,843 | $125,400 |
| Knox County | 333 | $68,904 | $260,800 |
| Oxford County | 304 | $54,780 | $176,800 |
| Somerset County | 260 | $53,527 | $150,500 |
Cumberland County, York County, Penobscot County hold 53% of the 9,094 tracked establishments across 16 Maine counties or areas. Median household income runs from $50,843 in Aroostook County to $87,710 in Cumberland County (1.7x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Maine metro markets
Maine has no metro large enough for a dedicated WETYR city page, so this page and the statewide industry pages below cover the whole state, from the largest towns to rural operators.
Working with WETYR in Maine
WETYR buys Maine businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Maine owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Maine. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Maine business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Maine?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 9,094 establishments in Maine across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 38th among the 50 states. With roughly 1,366,949 residents, that works out to 66.5 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Maine holds 0.55% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.41% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Maine?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (971), plumbing and HVAC contractors (751), and childcare centers (675). Landscaping and tree services alone is 10.7% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Maine is most concentrated in septic and drainage services, site preparation and excavation contractors and waste collection and dumpster haulers.
Does Maine tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Maine 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 Maine CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Maine are most of these businesses located?
Cumberland County leads with about 2,488 tracked establishments, followed by York County (1,362) and Penobscot County (931). Together the top three hold 53% of the state total. Median household income in Cumberland County is $87,710 and the median home value is $372,900. The smallest tracked area is Piscataquis County with 95.
Sell by industry in Maine
Other New England states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.