Virginia: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #23 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 8,631,393.
Virginia ranks #23 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (41.3). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 33.6 (Moderate), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 50.8 (Elevated). The 17.2-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 498,470 jobs.
Virginia: 41.3 Average Entry Risk
Virginia at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Virginia
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Virginia.
Entry Risk by Industry in Virginia
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Virginia. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Virginia Industry Data: 256,181 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 33.6 | #16/51 | 19,174 | 345,714 | $28,038 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 35.6 | #17/51 | 12,622 | 60,166 | $78,255 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 36.2 | #9/51 | 6,428 | 69,538 | $148,011 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 39.0 | #18/51 | 23,062 | 217,926 | $78,741 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 39.9 | #25/51 | 52,106 | 498,470 | $66,168 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 41.6 | #17/51 | 25,562 | 392,040 | $39,467 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 42.3 | #32/51 | 56,181 | 470,378 | $135,916 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.0 | #33/51 | 17,014 | 248,318 | $63,796 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 50.7 | #40/51 | 30,298 | 136,901 | $60,517 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 50.8 | #26/51 | 13,734 | 145,137 | $129,122 |
Largest Industries in Virginia by Employment
Metro Markets in Virginia
8 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Virginia Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs VA |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 41.3 | — |
| Kentucky | 39.4 | -1.9 |
| North Carolina | 39.4 | -1.9 |
| West Virginia | 40.2 | -1.1 |
| Tennessee | 41.1 | -0.2 |
| Maryland | 41.8 | +0.5 |
| District of Columbia | 51.2 | +9.9 |
Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Virginia's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Virginia averages 41.3 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #23 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 Virginia?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in Virginia at 33.6 (Moderate). It employs 345,714 workers across 19,174 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Virginia?
Finance and Insurance posts Virginia's highest entry risk at 50.8 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Virginia?
256,181 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Virginia, employing 2,584,588 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Virginia's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Virginia with 498,470 jobs across 52,106 establishments and an entry risk score of 39.9.