Hawaii: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #51 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,455,271.
Hawaii ranks #51 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (54.2). Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services carries the lowest risk at 33.8 (Moderate), while Accommodation and Food Services is the most challenging at 66.1 (High). The 32.3-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Accommodation and Food Services is the largest tracked employer with 105,166 jobs.
Hawaii: 54.2 Average Entry Risk
Hawaii at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Hawaii
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Hawaii.
Entry Risk by Industry in Hawaii
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Hawaii. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Hawaii Industry Data: 41,155 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 33.8 | #7/51 | 6,602 | 26,867 | $101,433 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 37.0 | #1/51 | 2,006 | 14,936 | $97,829 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 50.2 | #43/51 | 6,023 | 74,940 | $73,768 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 55.2 | #48/51 | 1,599 | 7,921 | $104,823 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 56.1 | #48/51 | 4,697 | 63,981 | $44,020 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 60.3 | #50/51 | 2,264 | 11,929 | $70,698 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 60.7 | #50/51 | 3,476 | 36,402 | $50,440 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 61.1 | #51/51 | 4,444 | 38,682 | $92,648 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 61.9 | #50/51 | 4,922 | 25,592 | $50,366 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 66.1 | #50/51 | 5,122 | 105,166 | $45,512 |
Largest Industries in Hawaii by Employment
Metro Markets in Hawaii
2 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
Compare Other States
Browse all 51 state markets to compare entry risk conditions.
Hawaii: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Hawaii's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Hawaii averages 54.2 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #51 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 Hawaii?
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services carries the lowest entry risk in Hawaii at 33.8 (Moderate). It employs 26,867 workers across 6,602 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Hawaii?
Accommodation and Food Services posts Hawaii's highest entry risk at 66.1 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Hawaii?
41,155 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Hawaii, employing 406,416 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Hawaii's largest industry by employment?
Accommodation and Food Services is the largest tracked employer in Hawaii with 105,166 jobs across 5,122 establishments and an entry risk score of 66.1.