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
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.
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
Metro Markets in Wisconsin
13 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Wisconsin Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Wisconsin's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Wisconsin averages 33.9 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #4 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 Wisconsin?
Construction carries the lowest entry risk in Wisconsin at 25.1 (Low). It employs 140,998 workers across 15,864 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Wisconsin?
Finance and Insurance posts Wisconsin's highest entry risk at 45.3 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Wisconsin?
153,073 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Wisconsin, employing 1,648,145 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Wisconsin's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Wisconsin with 417,852 jobs across 38,478 establishments and an entry risk score of 43.4.