State
Businesses in Arkansas by trade
70,452 employer establishments in 2023, employing 1,120,356 people (+5.5% establishments since 2017).
ARKANSAS · ALL INDUSTRIES
70,452
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 1,120,356
- Average per site
- 15.9
- Change since 2017
- +5.5%
- Annual payroll
- $60.9 billion
The 12 trades in Arkansas
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 2,015 | 38,541 | −1.0% | 33 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 599 | 5,763 | +54.8% | 36 |
| Beauty salons | 453 | 1,756 | +13.8% | 35 |
| Barber shops | 36 | 155 | +200.0% | 34 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,145 | 10,835 | +17.2% | 31 |
| Roofing contractors | 236 | 1,975 | +80.2% | 34 |
| Landscaping services | 753 | 4,607 | +15.3% | 39 |
| Janitorial services | 471 | 13,290 | +6.6% | 37 |
| Child day care | 728 | 11,708 | +1.0% | 34 |
| General auto repair | 606 | 2,677 | +8.8% | 37 |
| Fitness centers | 257 | 2,724 | +26.0% | 36 |
| Pet care services | 187 | 1,011 | +48.4% | 36 |
Largest industry groups in Arkansas
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 6,521 | 64,553 | +17.6% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 6,260 | 40,332 | +5.7% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 5,665 | 102,687 | +11.5% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 4,230 | 40,921 | +17.9% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 3,520 | 23,924 | −2.7% |
| Real Estate | 3,021 | 9,758 | +21.7% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 2,857 | 71,323 | +11.0% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 1,995 | 27,602 | −0.2% |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 1,957 | 23,056 | +0.1% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 1,935 | 10,392 | +6.8% |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | 1,852 | 17,167 | +0.5% |
| Social Assistance | 1,839 | 34,263 | +10.1% |
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.