WI
Wisconsin: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #4 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 5,893,718.
Wisconsin ranks #4 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (33.9). Construction carries the lowest risk at 25.1 (Low), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 45.3 (Elevated). The 20.2-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 417,852 jobs.
Wisconsin: 33.9 Average Entry Risk
153,073
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
1,648,145
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
33.9
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
Wisconsin at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Wisconsin
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Wisconsin.
Entry Risk by Industry in Wisconsin
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Wisconsin. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Construction
#1
Retail Trade
#1
Information
#14
Other Services
#16
Wisconsin Industry Data: 153,073 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction NAICS 23 | 25.1 | #1/51 | 15,864 | 140,998 | $79,702 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 25.2 | #5/51 | 10,610 | 134,696 | $46,606 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 26.0 | #2/51 | 6,227 | 28,972 | $60,818 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 28.2 | #5/51 | 14,979 | 241,606 | $22,064 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 33.3 | #1/51 | 17,597 | 297,943 | $35,444 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 35.0 | #12/51 | 22,629 | 130,308 | $98,571 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 38.1 | #14/51 | 3,258 | 47,065 | $112,737 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 39.3 | #16/51 | 13,102 | 81,973 | $43,962 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 43.4 | #29/51 | 38,478 | 417,852 | $62,422 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 45.3 | #8/51 | 10,329 | 126,732 | $103,959 |
Largest Industries in Wisconsin by Employment
How Wisconsin Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.