OH
Ohio: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #8 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 11,799,448.
Ohio ranks #8 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (38.5). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 29.3 (Low), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 48.2 (Elevated). The 18.9-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 850,252 jobs.
Ohio: 38.5 Average Entry Risk
260,808
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
3,234,031
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
38.5
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
Ohio at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Ohio
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Ohio.
Entry Risk by Industry in Ohio
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Ohio. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Ohio Industry Data: 260,808 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 29.3 | #11/51 | 26,876 | 482,564 | $23,358 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 33.2 | #14/51 | 13,459 | 69,624 | $64,237 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 35.8 | #7/51 | 26,114 | 158,663 | $45,521 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 35.8 | #18/51 | 21,578 | 293,547 | $50,370 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 36.9 | #17/51 | 46,940 | 289,145 | $100,627 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 39.2 | #8/51 | 36,084 | 541,361 | $37,559 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 40.2 | #26/51 | 36,422 | 850,252 | $62,283 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 41.7 | #24/51 | 26,050 | 249,045 | $79,720 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 44.4 | #26/51 | 8,561 | 66,186 | $100,085 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 48.2 | #14/51 | 18,724 | 233,644 | $105,441 |
Largest Industries in Ohio by Employment
How Ohio Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs OH |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 38.5 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 33.6 | -4.9 |
| Indiana | 38.4 | -0.1 |
| Kentucky | 39.4 | +0.9 |
| West Virginia | 40.2 | +1.7 |
| Michigan | 40.5 | +2.0 |