Florida: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #48 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 21,538,187.
Florida ranks #48 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (50.8). Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services carries the lowest risk at 38.2 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 61.9 (High). The 23.7-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 1,321,104 jobs.
Florida: 50.8 Average Entry Risk
Florida at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Florida
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Florida.
Entry Risk by Industry in Florida
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Florida. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Florida Industry Data: 711,113 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 38.2 | #22/51 | 149,324 | 754,673 | $107,260 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 46.5 | #30/51 | 20,233 | 156,740 | $121,266 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 47.2 | #37/51 | 92,214 | 1,321,104 | $67,942 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 48.1 | #35/51 | 60,954 | 297,469 | $51,313 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 51.0 | #43/51 | 84,853 | 1,152,918 | $43,151 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 52.0 | #47/51 | 68,642 | 728,244 | $56,070 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 53.6 | #44/51 | 54,331 | 1,053,017 | $33,367 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 54.5 | #42/51 | 84,936 | 647,881 | $70,262 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 54.7 | #49/51 | 50,458 | 221,283 | $70,291 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 61.9 | #46/51 | 45,168 | 455,374 | $127,428 |
Largest Industries in Florida by Employment
Metro Markets in Florida
22 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Florida Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Florida's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Florida averages 50.8 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #48 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Florida?
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services carries the lowest entry risk in Florida at 38.2 (Moderate). It employs 754,673 workers across 149,324 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Florida?
Finance and Insurance posts Florida's highest entry risk at 61.9 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Florida?
711,113 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Florida, employing 6,788,703 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Florida's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Florida with 1,321,104 jobs across 92,214 establishments and an entry risk score of 47.2.