Oregon: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #42 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 4,237,256.
Oregon ranks #42 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (48.2). Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest risk at 30.4 (Moderate), while Other Services is the most challenging at 57.1 (High). The 26.8-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 300,603 jobs.
Oregon: 48.2 Average Entry Risk
Oregon at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Oregon
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Oregon.
Entry Risk by Industry in Oregon
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Oregon. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Oregon Industry Data: 145,043 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 30.4 | #7/51 | 9,992 | 100,126 | $52,885 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 42.8 | #32/51 | 13,174 | 178,123 | $29,792 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 42.9 | #24/51 | 14,478 | 203,454 | $41,975 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 44.8 | #35/51 | 7,377 | 29,164 | $62,492 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 45.2 | #42/51 | 26,628 | 110,366 | $106,657 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 52.0 | #45/51 | 7,758 | 36,110 | $141,182 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 54.8 | #44/51 | 18,009 | 116,080 | $82,371 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 55.6 | #50/51 | 23,366 | 300,603 | $66,596 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 56.7 | #41/51 | 7,757 | 52,795 | $107,581 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 57.1 | #46/51 | 16,504 | 68,964 | $52,547 |
Largest Industries in Oregon by Employment
Metro Markets in Oregon
8 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Oregon Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs OR |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 48.2 | — |
| Idaho | 41.6 | -6.6 |
| Nevada | 49.3 | +1.1 |
| Washington | 49.6 | +1.4 |
| California | 50.4 | +2.2 |
Oregon: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Oregon's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Oregon averages 48.2 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #42 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 Oregon?
Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest entry risk in Oregon at 30.4 (Moderate). It employs 100,126 workers across 9,992 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Oregon?
Other Services posts Oregon's highest entry risk at 57.1 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Oregon?
145,043 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Oregon, employing 1,195,785 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Oregon's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Oregon with 300,603 jobs across 23,366 establishments and an entry risk score of 55.6.