GA
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
280,509
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
2,947,594
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
46.8
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
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.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Construction
#25
Other Services
#32
Retail Trade
#38
Information
#39
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
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 |