State
Businesses in Delaware by trade
29,706 employer establishments in 2023, employing 457,635 people (+16.7% establishments since 2017).
DELAWARE · ALL INDUSTRIES
29,706
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 457,635
- Average per site
- 15.4
- Change since 2017
- +16.7%
- Annual payroll
- $33.2 billion
The 12 trades in Delaware
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 899 | 22,174 | +9.6% | 46 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 230 | 2,838 | +13.3% | 49 |
| Beauty salons | 277 | 1,830 | +7.4% | 43 |
| Barber shops | 31 | 123 | +34.8% | 38 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 344 | 4,719 | +4.2% | 46 |
| Roofing contractors | 67 | 860 | +24.1% | 50 |
| Landscaping services | 456 | 4,285 | +16.0% | 43 |
| Janitorial services | 279 | 3,437 | +18.7% | 44 |
| Child day care | 349 | 4,928 | +0.3% | 44 |
| General auto repair | 238 | 1,215 | −1.2% | 47 |
| Fitness centers | 170 | 2,956 | +16.4% | 43 |
| Pet care services | 65 | 467 | +22.6% | 48 |
Largest industry groups in Delaware
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4,429 | 39,610 | +49.5% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 2,230 | 41,291 | +13.4% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 2,020 | 28,393 | +14.5% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 1,741 | 31,063 | +20.2% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 1,638 | 16,752 | +11.9% |
| Real Estate | 1,211 | 5,270 | +16.1% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 1,047 | 6,594 | +7.9% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 866 | 5,852 | +20.3% |
| Construction of Buildings | 770 | 4,443 | +11.4% |
| Social Assistance | 766 | 12,152 | +19.9% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 746 | 7,527 | +11.2% |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 738 | 33,039 | −4.3% |
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.