North Carolina: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #12 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 10,439,388.
North Carolina ranks #12 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (39.4). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 23.4 (Low), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 48.4 (Elevated). The 25.0-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 579,529 jobs.
North Carolina: 39.4 Average Entry Risk
North Carolina at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in North Carolina
Industries with the lowest entry risk in North Carolina.
Entry Risk by Industry in North Carolina
Compare market entry conditions across industries in North Carolina. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
North Carolina Industry Data: 303,767 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 23.4 | #2/51 | 26,325 | 458,788 | $25,303 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 33.0 | #14/51 | 35,298 | 579,529 | $63,219 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 37.8 | #20/51 | 61,995 | 334,395 | $110,883 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 38.1 | #23/51 | 18,290 | 72,329 | $69,428 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 38.2 | #15/51 | 36,186 | 272,147 | $74,318 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 42.8 | #32/51 | 27,642 | 324,284 | $55,867 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 43.4 | #25/51 | 38,080 | 524,832 | $39,105 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 44.0 | #26/51 | 29,690 | 130,554 | $48,818 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 45.3 | #28/51 | 10,373 | 85,803 | $130,517 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 48.4 | #17/51 | 19,888 | 232,000 | $130,187 |
Largest Industries in North Carolina by Employment
Metro Markets in North Carolina
15 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How North Carolina Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs NC |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 39.4 | — |
| South Carolina | 40.6 | +1.2 |
| Tennessee | 41.1 | +1.7 |
| Virginia | 41.3 | +1.9 |
| Georgia | 46.8 | +7.4 |
North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is North Carolina's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
North Carolina averages 39.4 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #12 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 North Carolina?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in North Carolina at 23.4 (Low). It employs 458,788 workers across 26,325 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in North Carolina?
Finance and Insurance posts North Carolina's highest entry risk at 48.4 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in North Carolina?
303,767 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in North Carolina, employing 3,014,661 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is North Carolina's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in North Carolina with 579,529 jobs across 35,298 establishments and an entry risk score of 33.0.