Maryland: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #25 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 6,177,224.
Maryland ranks #25 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (41.8). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 31.7 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 52.6 (Elevated). The 20.9-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 401,057 jobs.
Maryland: 41.8 Average Entry Risk
Maryland at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Maryland
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Maryland.
Entry Risk by Industry in Maryland
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Maryland. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Maryland Industry Data: 163,606 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 31.7 | #15/51 | 12,788 | 226,764 | $30,619 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 32.6 | #11/51 | 12,820 | 171,625 | $60,615 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 35.0 | #12/51 | 16,372 | 164,323 | $82,207 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 36.8 | #21/51 | 21,536 | 401,057 | $68,339 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 38.4 | #23/51 | 39,539 | 283,075 | $123,644 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 43.6 | #26/51 | 17,530 | 269,510 | $42,891 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 47.8 | #34/51 | 20,377 | 93,008 | $58,487 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 48.9 | #40/51 | 5,570 | 34,384 | $140,757 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 50.4 | #42/51 | 7,968 | 43,361 | $84,315 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 52.6 | #30/51 | 9,106 | 83,230 | $141,289 |
Largest Industries in Maryland by Employment
Metro Markets in Maryland
4 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Maryland Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs MD |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 41.8 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 33.6 | -8.2 |
| West Virginia | 40.2 | -1.6 |
| Virginia | 41.3 | -0.5 |
| Delaware | 43.6 | +1.8 |
| District of Columbia | 51.2 | +9.4 |
Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Maryland's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Maryland averages 41.8 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #25 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 Maryland?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in Maryland at 31.7 (Moderate). It employs 226,764 workers across 12,788 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Maryland?
Finance and Insurance posts Maryland's highest entry risk at 52.6 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Maryland?
163,606 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Maryland, employing 1,770,337 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Maryland's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Maryland with 401,057 jobs across 21,536 establishments and an entry risk score of 36.8.