The three largest of those industries in Massachusetts are landscaping and tree services (4,515 establishments), dental practices (3,212), and plumbing and HVAC contractors (3,093). WETYR buys qualifying Massachusetts businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Massachusetts owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks 8th in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 4,515 establishments, or 3.9% of the U.S. total, against 2.1% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Massachusetts categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 4,515 | 64.6 | 1.84 | 8th |
| Dental practices | 3,212 | 46.0 | 1.13 | 14th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 3,093 | 44.3 | 1.34 | 9th |
| Electrical contractors | 2,590 | 37.1 | 1.51 | 9th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 2,548 | 36.5 | 0.90 | 16th |
| Childcare centers | 2,262 | 32.4 | 1.36 | 12th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 2,125 | 30.4 | 0.75 | 23rd |
| General auto repair shops | 1,827 | 26.2 | 1.04 | 15th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 1,717 | 24.6 | 1.23 | 13th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,456 | 20.8 | 0.72 | 26th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 1,245 | 17.8 | 1.50 | 9th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 1,189 | 17.0 | 1.45 | 9th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 1,019 | 14.6 | 0.87 | 15th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 904 | 12.9 | 0.86 | 18th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 847 | 12.1 | 0.97 | 14th |
Where Massachusetts is over and under the national average
Per resident, Massachusetts runs heaviest in septic and drainage services (116 establishments, index 2.03, 6th nationally by count); landscaping and tree services (4,515 establishments, index 1.84, 8th nationally by count); electrical contractors (2,590 establishments, index 1.51, 9th nationally by count). That top index of 2.03 means 103% more septic and drainage services per Massachusetts resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, Massachusetts is thinnest in durable goods wholesalers and distributors (index 0.71) and gas stations with convenience stores (index 0.72). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Massachusetts counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 9,359 | $121,304 | $654,300 |
| Norfolk County | 4,648 | $120,621 | $612,100 |
| Essex County | 4,506 | $94,378 | $535,300 |
| Worcester County | 4,493 | $88,524 | $363,200 |
| Plymouth County | 3,302 | $105,387 | $475,500 |
| Bristol County | 3,136 | $80,628 | $385,000 |
| Suffolk County | 3,026 | $87,669 | $650,900 |
| Hampden County | 2,089 | $66,619 | $258,100 |
| Barnstable County | 2,040 | $90,447 | $519,100 |
| Berkshire County | 800 | $69,744 | $266,400 |
Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Essex County hold 47% of the 39,023 tracked establishments across 14 Massachusetts counties or areas. Median household income runs from $66,619 in Hampden County to $135,590 in Nantucket County (2.0x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Massachusetts metro markets
Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Lowell are the 4 Massachusetts metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for landscaping and tree services and dental practices.
- Boston, about 645,966 residents (Suffolk County); nearest markets Cambridge (3 mi), Lynn (9 mi)
- Worcester, about 182,544 residents (Worcester County); nearest markets Framingham (19 mi), Albion (28 mi)
- Springfield, about 153,703 residents (Hampden County); nearest markets Chicopee (3 mi), East Hartford (22 mi)
- Lowell, about 108,861 residents (Middlesex County); nearest markets Andover (8 mi), Lawrence (9 mi)
Working with WETYR in Massachusetts
WETYR buys Massachusetts businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Massachusetts owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Massachusetts. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Massachusetts business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Massachusetts?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 39,023 establishments in Massachusetts across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 14th among the 50 states. With roughly 6,984,205 residents, that works out to 55.9 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Massachusetts holds 2.36% of the U.S. total in these industries and 2.11% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Massachusetts?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (4,515), dental practices (3,212), and plumbing and HVAC contractors (3,093). Landscaping and tree services alone is 11.6% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Massachusetts is most concentrated in septic and drainage services, landscaping and tree services and electrical contractors.
Does Massachusetts tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Massachusetts are most of these businesses located?
Middlesex County leads with about 9,359 tracked establishments, followed by Norfolk County (4,648) and Essex County (4,506). Together the top three hold 47% of the state total. Median household income in Middlesex County is $121,304 and the median home value is $654,300. The smallest tracked area is Dukes County with 264.
Sell by industry in Massachusetts
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.