AZ
Arizona: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #35 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 7,151,502.
Arizona ranks #35 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (46.3). Construction carries the lowest risk at 38.6 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 52.6 (Elevated). The 14.0-point spread signals moderate variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 462,596 jobs.
Arizona: 46.3 Average Entry Risk
173,271
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
2,133,967
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
46.3
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
Arizona at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Arizona
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Arizona.
Entry Risk by Industry in Arizona
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Arizona. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Construction
#16
Retail Trade
#32
Other Services
#30
Information
#41
Arizona Industry Data: 173,271 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction NAICS 23 | 38.6 | #16/51 | 18,417 | 226,684 | $79,419 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 41.2 | #28/51 | 39,539 | 177,067 | $104,689 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 44.1 | #32/51 | 22,724 | 462,596 | $67,275 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 44.9 | #32/51 | 17,270 | 345,178 | $46,521 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 46.0 | #30/51 | 13,988 | 87,478 | $52,671 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 46.9 | #40/51 | 13,944 | 310,498 | $31,316 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 47.6 | #43/51 | 14,713 | 245,123 | $56,631 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 49.2 | #41/51 | 5,724 | 49,339 | $124,582 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 52.4 | #46/51 | 13,332 | 60,378 | $75,058 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 52.6 | #29/51 | 13,620 | 169,626 | $103,791 |
Largest Industries in Arizona by Employment
How Arizona Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 46.3 | — |
| Utah | 42.7 | -3.6 |
| New Mexico | 47.2 | +0.9 |
| Nevada | 49.3 | +3.0 |
| Colorado | 50.1 | +3.8 |
| California | 50.4 | +4.1 |