Missouri: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #41 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 6,154,913.
Missouri ranks #41 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (47.8). Information carries the lowest risk at 36.8 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 57.7 (High). The 20.8-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 442,798 jobs.
Missouri: 47.8 Average Entry Risk
Missouri at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Missouri
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Missouri.
Entry Risk by Industry in Missouri
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Missouri. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Missouri Industry Data: 196,432 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information NAICS 51 | 36.8 | #10/51 | 5,818 | 46,792 | $107,903 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 39.2 | #25/51 | 7,662 | 41,376 | $61,273 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.8 | #39/51 | 11,797 | 147,780 | $53,576 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 45.5 | #45/51 | 28,251 | 165,354 | $102,944 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 47.2 | #42/51 | 13,792 | 263,130 | $25,992 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 47.4 | #33/51 | 13,558 | 78,860 | $47,240 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 50.6 | #42/51 | 20,588 | 307,582 | $37,999 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 54.6 | #43/51 | 16,784 | 146,623 | $78,644 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 55.6 | #51/51 | 65,040 | 442,798 | $61,808 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 57.7 | #43/51 | 13,142 | 131,318 | $102,908 |
Largest Industries in Missouri by Employment
Metro Markets in Missouri
8 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Missouri Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Missouri's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Missouri averages 47.8 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #41 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 Missouri?
Information carries the lowest entry risk in Missouri at 36.8 (Moderate). It employs 46,792 workers across 5,818 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Missouri?
Finance and Insurance posts Missouri's highest entry risk at 57.7 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Missouri?
196,432 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Missouri, employing 1,771,613 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Missouri's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Missouri with 442,798 jobs across 65,040 establishments and an entry risk score of 55.6.