Nevada: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #44 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 3,104,614.
Nevada ranks #44 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (49.3). Retail Trade carries the lowest risk at 37.0 (Moderate), while Accommodation and Food Services is the most challenging at 64.0 (High). The 27.0-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Accommodation and Food Services is the largest tracked employer with 314,414 jobs.
Nevada: 49.3 Average Entry Risk
Nevada at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Nevada
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Nevada.
Entry Risk by Industry in Nevada
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Nevada. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Nevada Industry Data: 73,141 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 37.0 | #3/51 | 8,374 | 147,970 | $42,833 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 37.2 | #22/51 | 9,542 | 153,879 | $66,377 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 39.8 | #20/51 | 6,593 | 109,637 | $79,239 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 42.6 | #34/51 | 14,717 | 74,063 | $104,789 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 45.2 | #27/51 | 5,742 | 38,543 | $50,610 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 53.0 | #48/51 | 7,130 | 110,896 | $46,751 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 55.6 | #38/51 | 5,037 | 43,813 | $106,621 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 56.3 | #50/51 | 3,210 | 20,771 | $126,316 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 61.9 | #51/51 | 5,160 | 29,431 | $68,214 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 64.0 | #49/51 | 7,636 | 314,414 | $42,670 |
Largest Industries in Nevada by Employment
Metro Markets in Nevada
3 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Nevada Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs NV |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 49.3 | — |
| Idaho | 41.6 | -7.7 |
| Utah | 42.7 | -6.6 |
| Arizona | 46.3 | -3.0 |
| Oregon | 48.2 | -1.1 |
| California | 50.4 | +1.1 |
Nevada: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Nevada's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Nevada averages 49.3 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #44 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 Nevada?
Retail Trade carries the lowest entry risk in Nevada at 37.0 (Moderate). It employs 147,970 workers across 8,374 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Nevada?
Accommodation and Food Services posts Nevada's highest entry risk at 64.0 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Nevada?
73,141 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Nevada, employing 1,043,417 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Nevada's largest industry by employment?
Accommodation and Food Services is the largest tracked employer in Nevada with 314,414 jobs across 7,636 establishments and an entry risk score of 64.0.