Vermont: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #31 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 643,077.
Vermont ranks #31 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (44.7). Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest risk at 30.1 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 53.6 (Elevated). The 23.4-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 51,343 jobs.
Vermont: 44.7 Average Entry Risk
Vermont at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Vermont
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Vermont.
Entry Risk by Industry in Vermont
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Vermont. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Vermont Industry Data: 25,208 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 30.1 | #9/51 | 754 | 3,008 | $61,008 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 36.7 | #20/51 | 2,222 | 51,343 | $64,536 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 40.0 | #21/51 | 3,028 | 16,196 | $70,362 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 43.0 | #35/51 | 6,587 | 17,851 | $117,587 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.4 | #38/51 | 2,982 | 13,370 | $65,086 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 45.1 | #27/51 | 1,241 | 0 | $0 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 51.0 | #43/51 | 1,893 | 30,369 | $31,839 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 51.6 | #41/51 | 2,248 | 8,830 | $49,641 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 52.1 | #45/51 | 2,927 | 35,820 | $42,057 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 53.6 | #34/51 | 1,326 | 8,429 | $114,422 |
Largest Industries in Vermont by Employment
Metro Markets in Vermont
1 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Vermont Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs VT |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 44.7 | — |
| New Hampshire | 40.0 | -4.7 |
| Massachusetts | 40.6 | -4.1 |
| New York | 52.7 | +8.0 |
Vermont: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Vermont's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Vermont averages 44.7 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #31 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 Vermont?
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest entry risk in Vermont at 30.1 (Moderate). It employs 3,008 workers across 754 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Vermont?
Finance and Insurance posts Vermont's highest entry risk at 53.6 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Vermont?
25,208 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Vermont, employing 185,216 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Vermont's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Vermont with 51,343 jobs across 2,222 establishments and an entry risk score of 36.7.