State
Businesses in Connecticut by trade
89,234 employer establishments in 2023, employing 1,536,698 people (−0.4% establishments since 2017).
CONNECTICUT · ALL INDUSTRIES
89,234
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 1,536,698
- Average per site
- 17.2
- Change since 2017
- −0.4%
- Annual payroll
- $117.6 billion
The 12 trades in Connecticut
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 3,484 | 58,365 | +2.1% | 25 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 1,158 | 14,998 | +8.6% | 22 |
| Beauty salons | 1,049 | 5,521 | −10.5% | 24 |
| Barber shops | 79 | 206 | +5.3% | 26 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,318 | 10,964 | +3.4% | 30 |
| Roofing contractors | 176 | 1,349 | +11.4% | 36 |
| Landscaping services | 2,170 | 10,103 | +5.2% | 20 |
| Janitorial services | 663 | 16,179 | −1.5% | 28 |
| Child day care | 948 | 16,532 | +0.6% | 28 |
| General auto repair | 908 | 4,455 | −6.1% | 27 |
| Fitness centers | 578 | 11,064 | −3.2% | 23 |
| Pet care services | 362 | 2,631 | +34.6% | 25 |
Largest industry groups in Connecticut
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 9,275 | 106,291 | +0.8% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 8,612 | 124,571 | +3.6% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 8,063 | 118,900 | +7.9% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 5,741 | 44,240 | +3.2% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 4,994 | 84,390 | −1.1% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 3,931 | 23,577 | +4.9% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 3,144 | 23,827 | −8.9% |
| Real Estate | 2,746 | 14,666 | −4.9% |
| Social Assistance | 2,513 | 57,486 | +10.3% |
| Food and Beverage Stores | 2,439 | 42,807 | +4.9% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 2,332 | 37,657 | −6.4% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 2,236 | 12,834 | −3.9% |
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.