The three largest of those industries in Utah are dental practices (1,769 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,669), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,667). WETYR buys qualifying Utah businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Utah owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Utah
Utah ranks 24th in the country for dental practices, with 1,769 establishments, or 1.3% of the U.S. total, against 1.0% of the U.S. population. Here is how the top fifteen stack up in Utah.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental practices | 1,769 | 53.9 | 1.32 | 24th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 1,669 | 50.8 | 1.25 | 30th |
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 1,667 | 50.8 | 1.25 | 27th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 1,441 | 43.9 | 1.25 | 26th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,403 | 42.7 | 1.30 | 27th |
| Electrical contractors | 1,081 | 32.9 | 1.34 | 25th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 977 | 29.8 | 1.49 | 25th |
| General auto repair shops | 812 | 24.7 | 0.98 | 30th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 728 | 22.2 | 0.76 | 35th |
| Childcare centers | 704 | 21.4 | 0.90 | 32nd |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 653 | 19.9 | 1.69 | 23rd |
| Local general freight trucking | 488 | 14.9 | 1.11 | 24th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 445 | 13.6 | 0.91 | 32nd |
| IT services and computer systems design | 420 | 12.8 | 0.76 | 27th |
| Medical spas and other personal care | 416 | 12.7 | 1.45 | 24th |
Where Utah is over and under the national average
Per resident, Utah runs heaviest in flooring contractors (354 establishments, index 2.09, 19th nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (653 establishments, index 1.69, 23rd nationally by count); advertising and marketing agencies (212 establishments, index 1.51, 19th nationally by count). That top index of 2.09 means 109% more flooring contractors per Utah resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, Utah is thinnest in laundromats and drycleaners (index 0.26) and security guard and patrol companies (index 0.38). Thin categories cut both ways: fewer local competitors for an operator, but fewer comparable transactions when a buyer prices a deal.
Utah counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake County | 6,737 | $90,011 | $440,400 |
| Utah County | 3,413 | $91,263 | $443,000 |
| Davis County | 1,871 | $101,285 | $423,200 |
| Washington County | 1,555 | $71,976 | $417,400 |
| Weber County | 1,416 | $82,291 | $346,800 |
| Cache County | 848 | $72,719 | $351,700 |
| Summit County | 403 | $126,392 | $895,100 |
| Iron County | 398 | $63,005 | $299,400 |
| Box Elder County | 292 | $72,769 | $308,900 |
| Tooele County | 274 | $95,545 | $343,900 |
Salt Lake County, Utah County, Davis County hold 65% of the 18,534 tracked establishments across 27 Utah counties or areas. Median household income runs from $52,108 in San Juan County to $126,392 in Summit County (2.4x), so the county you serve moves the valuation inputs.
Utah metro markets
Salt Lake City, Provo and West Jordan are the 3 Utah metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for dental practices and insurance agencies and brokerages.
- Salt Lake City, about 191,180 residents (Salt lake County); nearest markets Bountiful (9 mi), West Jordan (11 mi)
- Provo, about 116,288 residents (Utah County); nearest markets Orem (5 mi), Sandy (25 mi)
- West Jordan, about 110,077 residents (Salt lake County); nearest markets Sandy (6 mi), Salt Lake City (11 mi)
Working with WETYR in Utah
WETYR buys Utah businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Utah owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Utah. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Utah business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Utah?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 18,534 establishments in Utah across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 29th among the 50 states. With roughly 3,283,809 residents, that works out to 56.4 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Utah holds 1.12% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.99% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Utah?
By establishment count the largest are dental practices (1,769), insurance agencies and brokerages (1,669), and accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (1,667). Dental practices alone makes up 9.5% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Utah is most concentrated in flooring contractors, site preparation and excavation contractors and advertising and marketing agencies.
Does Utah tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Utah 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 Utah CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Utah are most of these businesses located?
Salt Lake County leads with about 6,737 tracked establishments, followed by Utah County (3,413) and Davis County (1,871). Together the top three hold 65% of the state total. Median household income in Salt Lake County is $90,011 and the median home value is $440,400. The smallest tracked area is Wayne County with 7.
Sell by industry in Utah
Other Mountain West states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.