State
Businesses in Alabama by trade
105,720 employer establishments in 2023, employing 1,822,666 people (+5.3% establishments since 2017).
ALABAMA · ALL INDUSTRIES
105,720
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 1,822,666
- Average per site
- 17.2
- Change since 2017
- +5.3%
- Annual payroll
- $101.0 billion
The 12 trades in Alabama
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 2,771 | 63,096 | −3.0% | 29 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 784 | 8,485 | +83.2% | 30 |
| Beauty salons | 740 | 3,559 | −1.3% | 28 |
| Barber shops | 55 | 254 | +34.1% | 30 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,647 | 17,066 | +18.6% | 24 |
| Roofing contractors | 305 | 1,955 | +60.5% | 26 |
| Landscaping services | 1,359 | 9,837 | +22.3% | 27 |
| Janitorial services | 726 | 11,791 | +13.3% | 27 |
| Child day care | 988 | 12,163 | +3.7% | 26 |
| General auto repair | 941 | 4,469 | +2.6% | 26 |
| Fitness centers | 495 | 6,802 | +21.9% | 27 |
| Pet care services | 309 | 2,574 | +71.7% | 27 |
Largest industry groups in Alabama
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 9,813 | 120,697 | +3.4% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 8,984 | 173,199 | +10.7% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 8,215 | 102,432 | +7.7% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 5,871 | 62,819 | +19.6% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 5,777 | 45,318 | −2.7% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 4,699 | 161,504 | +13.7% |
| Real Estate | 4,303 | 18,854 | +24.0% |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 3,747 | 41,583 | −7.5% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 3,160 | 45,740 | −7.3% |
| Gasoline Stations | 3,089 | 19,257 | −4.4% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 3,049 | 21,067 | +5.7% |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | 2,546 | 30,239 | +1.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (2023; change measured against 2017, 2019 and 2022). Establishments with paid employees only; employment and payroll carry Census noise infusion. Retrieved November 2, 2026. Method and sources.