Georgia: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #39 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 10,711,908.
Georgia ranks #39 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (46.8). Construction carries the lowest risk at 42.1 (Elevated), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 56.4 (High). The 14.3-point spread signals moderate variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 587,944 jobs.
Georgia: 46.8 Average Entry Risk
Georgia at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Georgia
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Georgia.
Entry Risk by Industry in Georgia
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Georgia. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Georgia Industry Data: 280,509 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction NAICS 23 | 42.1 | #25/51 | 27,911 | 228,291 | $80,355 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 43.3 | #28/51 | 35,943 | 587,944 | $67,024 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.4 | #37/51 | 24,439 | 324,922 | $55,698 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 43.5 | #38/51 | 57,768 | 334,588 | $113,289 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 43.6 | #35/51 | 26,556 | 449,486 | $26,687 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 47.2 | #32/51 | 23,278 | 120,634 | $51,314 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 47.5 | #38/51 | 38,010 | 511,713 | $40,933 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 48.9 | #39/51 | 9,894 | 116,958 | $138,444 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 51.6 | #43/51 | 16,919 | 79,628 | $78,080 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 56.4 | #40/51 | 19,791 | 193,430 | $118,383 |
Largest Industries in Georgia by Employment
Metro Markets in Georgia
13 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Georgia Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs GA |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 46.8 | — |
| Alabama | 37.6 | -9.2 |
| North Carolina | 39.4 | -7.4 |
| South Carolina | 40.6 | -6.2 |
| Tennessee | 41.1 | -5.7 |
| Florida | 50.8 | +4.0 |
Georgia: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Georgia's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Georgia averages 46.8 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #39 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 Georgia?
Construction carries the lowest entry risk in Georgia at 42.1 (Elevated). It employs 228,291 workers across 27,911 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Georgia?
Finance and Insurance posts Georgia's highest entry risk at 56.4 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Georgia?
280,509 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Georgia, employing 2,947,594 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Georgia's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Georgia with 587,944 jobs across 35,943 establishments and an entry risk score of 43.3.