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
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
Metro Markets in Ohio
12 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
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 |
Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Ohio's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Ohio averages 38.5 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #8 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 Ohio?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in Ohio at 29.3 (Low). It employs 482,564 workers across 26,876 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Ohio?
Finance and Insurance posts Ohio's highest entry risk at 48.2 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Ohio?
260,808 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Ohio, employing 3,234,031 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Ohio's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Ohio with 850,252 jobs across 36,422 establishments and an entry risk score of 40.2.