WA
Washington: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #45 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 7,614,893.
Washington ranks #45 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (49.6). Retail Trade carries the lowest risk at 42.0 (Elevated), while Construction is the most challenging at 58.1 (High). The 16.1-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 471,157 jobs.
Washington: 49.6 Average Entry Risk
191,414
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
2,144,985
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
49.6
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
Washington at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Washington
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Washington.
Entry Risk by Industry in Washington
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Washington. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Retail Trade
#20
Information
#49
Other Services
#44
Construction
#46
Washington Industry Data: 191,414 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 42.0 | #20/51 | 19,638 | 328,479 | $48,548 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 42.2 | #31/51 | 14,570 | 178,041 | $71,983 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 42.9 | #33/51 | 18,340 | 283,522 | $33,979 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 43.3 | #36/51 | 39,315 | 253,386 | $147,551 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 48.0 | #40/51 | 8,478 | 57,713 | $80,461 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 52.3 | #45/51 | 23,809 | 471,157 | $70,148 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 55.5 | #37/51 | 10,639 | 94,547 | $134,546 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 55.7 | #49/51 | 8,497 | 162,414 | $313,103 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 56.1 | #44/51 | 20,550 | 103,788 | $58,389 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 58.1 | #46/51 | 27,578 | 211,938 | $85,665 |
Largest Industries in Washington by Employment
How Washington Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.