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
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.
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
Metro Markets in Washington
11 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Washington Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Washington's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Washington averages 49.6 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #45 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 Washington?
Retail Trade carries the lowest entry risk in Washington at 42.0 (Elevated). It employs 328,479 workers across 19,638 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Washington?
Construction posts Washington's highest entry risk at 58.1 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Washington?
191,414 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Washington, employing 2,144,985 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Washington's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Washington with 471,157 jobs across 23,809 establishments and an entry risk score of 52.3.