New York: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #50 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 20,201,249.
New York ranks #50 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (52.7). Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest risk at 37.6 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 65.4 (High). The 27.8-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 1,818,891 jobs.
New York: 52.7 Average Entry Risk
New York at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in New York
Industries with the lowest entry risk in New York.
Entry Risk by Industry in New York
Compare market entry conditions across industries in New York. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
New York Industry Data: 514,413 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 37.6 | #21/51 | 36,565 | 199,540 | $91,400 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 47.6 | #44/51 | 37,957 | 524,141 | $69,039 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 48.2 | #39/51 | 60,750 | 1,818,891 | $63,827 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 50.5 | #42/51 | 18,295 | 279,451 | $193,088 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 51.1 | #37/51 | 52,642 | 388,163 | $89,003 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 52.4 | #49/51 | 86,857 | 719,071 | $155,690 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 57.2 | #49/51 | 69,015 | 834,803 | $48,901 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 57.7 | #47/51 | 68,310 | 347,485 | $55,411 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 58.6 | #48/51 | 54,474 | 751,254 | $38,361 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 65.4 | #49/51 | 29,548 | 532,752 | $303,409 |
Largest Industries in New York by Employment
Metro Markets in New York
13 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How New York Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs NY |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 52.7 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 33.6 | -19.1 |
| Massachusetts | 40.6 | -12.1 |
| Vermont | 44.7 | -8.0 |
| New Jersey | 46.3 | -6.4 |
| Connecticut | 46.7 | -6.0 |
New York: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is New York's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
New York averages 52.7 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #50 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 New York?
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest entry risk in New York at 37.6 (Moderate). It employs 199,540 workers across 36,565 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in New York?
Finance and Insurance posts New York's highest entry risk at 65.4 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in New York?
514,413 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in New York, employing 6,395,551 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is New York's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in New York with 1,818,891 jobs across 60,750 establishments and an entry risk score of 48.2.