The three largest of those industries in Pennsylvania are landscaping and tree services (5,176 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (4,863), and dental practices (4,704). WETYR buys qualifying Pennsylvania businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Pennsylvania owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks 5th in the country for landscaping and tree services, with 5,176 establishments, or 4.5% of the U.S. total, against 3.9% of the U.S. population. Here is how the top fifteen stack up in Pennsylvania.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and tree services | 5,176 | 39.8 | 1.13 | 5th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 4,863 | 37.4 | 0.92 | 6th |
| Dental practices | 4,704 | 36.2 | 0.89 | 6th |
| General auto repair shops | 4,525 | 34.8 | 1.38 | 5th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 4,131 | 31.8 | 0.97 | 6th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 4,089 | 31.5 | 0.77 | 7th |
| Childcare centers | 3,855 | 29.7 | 1.24 | 5th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 3,216 | 24.8 | 0.85 | 9th |
| Electrical contractors | 2,732 | 21.0 | 0.86 | 6th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 2,473 | 19.0 | 0.95 | 6th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 2,239 | 17.2 | 1.15 | 6th |
| Pharmacies and drug stores | 2,061 | 15.9 | 1.27 | 5th |
| Local general freight trucking | 1,857 | 14.3 | 1.07 | 6th |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 1,785 | 13.7 | 1.17 | 4th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 1,593 | 12.3 | 1.03 | 5th |
Where Pennsylvania is over and under the national average
Per resident, Pennsylvania runs heaviest in plate work and fabricated metal shops (87 establishments, index 2.51, 3rd nationally by count); funeral homes (942 establishments, index 1.77, 2nd nationally by count); waste collection and dumpster haulers (528 establishments, index 1.45, 4th nationally by count). That top index of 2.51 means 151% more plate work and fabricated metal shops per Pennsylvania resident than the U.S. average. A buyer pricing a Pennsylvania deal in that category has real comparables to work from.
At the other end, Pennsylvania is thinnest in self-storage facilities (index 0.54) and pest control companies (index 0.62). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Pennsylvania counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny County | 6,586 | $72,537 | $200,200 |
| Montgomery County | 5,861 | $107,441 | $382,300 |
| Philadelphia County | 5,252 | $57,537 | $215,500 |
| Bucks County | 4,783 | $107,826 | $395,800 |
| Chester County | 3,384 | $118,574 | $435,000 |
| Delaware County | 3,133 | $86,390 | $289,700 |
| Lancaster County | 2,884 | $81,458 | $263,600 |
| York County | 1,980 | $79,183 | $220,700 |
| Westmoreland County | 1,969 | $69,454 | $181,600 |
| Lehigh County | 1,918 | $74,973 | $254,500 |
Allegheny County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County hold 28% of the 64,113 tracked establishments across 67 Pennsylvania counties or areas. Median household income runs from $54,221 in Cambria County to $118,574 in Chester County (2.2x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Pennsylvania metro markets
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Allentown are the 3 Pennsylvania metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for landscaping and tree services and insurance agencies and brokerages.
- Philadelphia, about 1,553,165 residents (Philadelphia County); nearest markets Camden (3 mi), Valley Forge (19 mi)
- Pittsburgh, about 305,841 residents (Allegheny County); nearest markets New Castle (42 mi), Morgantown (56 mi)
- Allentown, about 118,577 residents (Lehigh County); nearest markets Bethlehem (6 mi), Reading (30 mi)
Working with WETYR in Pennsylvania
WETYR buys Pennsylvania businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Pennsylvania owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Pennsylvania. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Pennsylvania business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Pennsylvania?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 64,113 establishments in Pennsylvania across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 6th among the 50 states. With roughly 12,989,208 residents, that works out to 49.4 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Pennsylvania holds 3.87% of the U.S. total in these industries and 3.93% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Pennsylvania?
By establishment count the largest are landscaping and tree services (5,176), insurance agencies and brokerages (4,863), and dental practices (4,704). Landscaping and tree services alone makes up 8.1% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Pennsylvania is most concentrated in plate work and fabricated metal shops, funeral homes and waste collection and dumpster haulers.
Does Pennsylvania tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Pennsylvania are most of these businesses located?
Allegheny County leads with about 6,586 tracked establishments, followed by Montgomery County (5,861) and Philadelphia County (5,252). Together the top three hold 28% of the state total. Median household income in Allegheny County is $72,537 and the median home value is $200,200. The smallest tracked area is Forest County with 3.
Sell by industry in Pennsylvania
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.