The three largest of those industries in Maryland are dental practices (2,574 establishments), accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (2,496), and IT services and computer systems design (2,433). WETYR buys qualifying Maryland businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Maryland owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Maryland
Maryland ranks 17th in the country for dental practices, with 2,574 establishments, or 1.9% of the U.S. total, against 1.9% of the U.S. population. Here is how the top fifteen stack up in Maryland.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental practices | 2,574 | 41.8 | 1.02 | 17th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 2,496 | 40.5 | 1.00 | 17th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 2,433 | 39.5 | 2.34 | 7th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 2,084 | 33.8 | 0.96 | 21st |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 2,048 | 33.2 | 1.01 | 17th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 1,907 | 30.9 | 0.76 | 27th |
| General auto repair shops | 1,641 | 26.6 | 1.06 | 20th |
| Childcare centers | 1,498 | 24.3 | 1.02 | 16th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,468 | 23.8 | 0.97 | 18th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 1,447 | 23.5 | 1.18 | 16th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,151 | 18.7 | 0.64 | 29th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 1,036 | 16.8 | 1.12 | 16th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 773 | 12.5 | 1.01 | 18th |
| Local general freight trucking | 726 | 11.8 | 0.88 | 16th |
| Staffing agencies | 699 | 11.3 | 1.11 | 19th |
Where Maryland is over and under the national average
Per resident, Maryland runs heaviest in IT services and computer systems design (2,433 establishments, index 2.34, 7th nationally by count); security guard and patrol companies (268 establishments, index 1.48, 9th nationally by count); commercial cleaning and janitorial services (1,447 establishments, index 1.18, 16th nationally by count). That top index of 2.34 means 134% more IT services and computer systems design per Maryland resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, Maryland is thinnest in machine shops (index 0.35) and advertising and marketing agencies (index 0.58). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Maryland counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | 5,833 | $125,583 | $588,900 |
| Baltimore County | 4,565 | $88,157 | $310,800 |
| Prince George S County | 3,691 | $97,935 | $380,500 |
| Anne Arundel County | 3,225 | $116,009 | $432,000 |
| Howard County | 2,190 | $140,971 | $551,300 |
| Baltimore City | 1,779 | $58,349 | $202,900 |
| Frederick County | 1,506 | $115,724 | $412,500 |
| Harford County | 1,439 | $106,417 | $351,100 |
| Carroll County | 1,168 | $111,672 | $390,200 |
| Washington County | 666 | $73,017 | $262,400 |
Montgomery County, Baltimore County, Prince George S County hold 46% of the 30,355 tracked establishments across 24 Maryland counties or areas. Median household income runs from $52,149 in Somerset County to $140,971 in Howard County (2.7x), and that gap shows up in what customers pay.
Maryland metro markets
Baltimore is the Maryland metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for dental practices and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms.
- Baltimore, about 622,104 residents (Baltimore city County); nearest markets Laurel (17 mi), Bowie (22 mi)
Working with WETYR in Maryland
WETYR buys Maryland businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Maryland owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Maryland. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Maryland business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Maryland?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 30,355 establishments in Maryland across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 18th among the 50 states. With roughly 6,161,707 residents, that works out to 49.3 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Maryland holds 1.83% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.86% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Maryland?
By establishment count the largest are dental practices (2,574), accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (2,496), and IT services and computer systems design (2,433). Dental practices alone makes up 8.5% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Maryland is most concentrated in IT services and computer systems design, security guard and patrol companies and commercial cleaning and janitorial services.
Does Maryland tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Maryland 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 Maryland CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Maryland are most of these businesses located?
Montgomery County leads with about 5,833 tracked establishments, followed by Baltimore County (4,565) and Prince George S County (3,691). Together the top three hold 46% of the state total. Median household income in Montgomery County is $125,583 and the median home value is $588,900. The smallest tracked area is Somerset County with 60.
Sell by industry in Maryland
Other Mid-Atlantic states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.