State
Businesses in Kentucky by trade
94,402 employer establishments in 2023, employing 1,708,602 people (+3.5% establishments since 2017).
KENTUCKY · ALL INDUSTRIES
94,402
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 1,708,602
- Average per site
- 18.1
- Change since 2017
- +3.5%
- Annual payroll
- $93.6 billion
The 12 trades in Kentucky
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 2,808 | 64,028 | +0.1% | 28 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 609 | 7,075 | +32.1% | 35 |
| Beauty salons | 680 | 3,180 | −8.7% | 30 |
| Barber shops | 47 | 160 | +20.5% | 32 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,379 | 15,837 | +11.6% | 28 |
| Roofing contractors | 255 | 2,033 | +41.7% | 33 |
| Landscaping services | 1,130 | 8,853 | +8.4% | 30 |
| Janitorial services | 659 | 11,327 | +5.8% | 30 |
| Child day care | 925 | 12,432 | +1.9% | 29 |
| General auto repair | 906 | 4,048 | +3.2% | 28 |
| Fitness centers | 390 | 6,699 | +7.1% | 30 |
| Pet care services | 279 | 1,623 | +42.3% | 29 |
Largest industry groups in Kentucky
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 8,700 | 108,303 | +10.7% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8,370 | 76,322 | +2.9% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 7,857 | 165,135 | +6.1% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 5,532 | 53,685 | +10.5% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 4,573 | 32,420 | −1.3% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 4,050 | 107,583 | +5.4% |
| Real Estate | 3,726 | 13,773 | +21.9% |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 2,923 | 32,696 | −9.6% |
| Social Assistance | 2,579 | 38,964 | −5.9% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 2,578 | 17,058 | +0.6% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 2,511 | 45,946 | −4.7% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 2,392 | 15,004 | +4.2% |
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.