Maine: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #14 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,362,359.
Maine ranks #14 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (40.0). Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest risk at 24.6 (Low), while Accommodation and Food Services is the most challenging at 55.0 (High). The 30.4-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 111,057 jobs.
Maine: 40.0 Average Entry Risk
Maine at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Maine
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Maine.
Entry Risk by Industry in Maine
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Maine. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Maine Industry Data: 48,107 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 24.6 | #4/51 | 4,146 | 27,350 | $53,712 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 28.3 | #6/51 | 2,127 | 7,423 | $58,954 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 35.5 | #13/51 | 6,479 | 35,306 | $71,860 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 36.7 | #9/51 | 4,047 | 18,468 | $48,760 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 40.2 | #26/51 | 11,104 | 33,932 | $104,931 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 42.0 | #5/51 | 2,430 | 23,242 | $106,194 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 44.1 | #25/51 | 1,812 | 0 | $0 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 44.1 | #29/51 | 6,022 | 82,114 | $39,751 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 49.9 | #42/51 | 5,506 | 111,057 | $64,360 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 55.0 | #46/51 | 4,434 | 59,659 | $32,163 |
Largest Industries in Maine by Employment
Metro Markets in Maine
3 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Maine Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs ME |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 40.0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 40.0 | 0.0 |
Maine: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Maine's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Maine averages 40.0 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #14 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 Maine?
Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest entry risk in Maine at 24.6 (Low). It employs 27,350 workers across 4,146 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Maine?
Accommodation and Food Services posts Maine's highest entry risk at 55.0 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Maine?
48,107 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Maine, employing 398,551 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Maine's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Maine with 111,057 jobs across 5,506 establishments and an entry risk score of 49.9.