State
Businesses in Massachusetts by trade
183,767 employer establishments in 2023, employing 3,487,228 people (+2.2% establishments since 2017).
MASSACHUSETTS · ALL INDUSTRIES
183,767
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 3,487,228
- Average per site
- 19.0
- Change since 2017
- +2.2%
- Annual payroll
- $301.8 billion
The 12 trades in Massachusetts
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 6,558 | 133,020 | +1.0% | 14 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 2,667 | 36,086 | +10.3% | 9 |
| Beauty salons | 2,569 | 13,453 | +2.9% | 10 |
| Barber shops | 164 | 398 | +67.3% | 15 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 3,069 | 29,674 | −3.8% | 10 |
| Roofing contractors | 433 | 3,259 | +13.6% | 20 |
| Landscaping services | 4,555 | 18,649 | +15.4% | 8 |
| Janitorial services | 1,757 | 25,295 | +14.3% | 13 |
| Child day care | 2,309 | 32,471 | +4.6% | 12 |
| General auto repair | 1,806 | 7,771 | −9.7% | 15 |
| Fitness centers | 1,230 | 25,109 | +0.5% | 10 |
| Pet care services | 759 | 5,161 | +30.0% | 10 |
Largest industry groups in Massachusetts
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 21,966 | 369,685 | +0.3% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 17,050 | 274,145 | +2.4% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 13,943 | 112,578 | +10.5% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 12,455 | 204,907 | +5.8% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 11,040 | 217,220 | +5.4% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 7,917 | 45,049 | +14.3% |
| Real Estate | 7,520 | 43,612 | +17.8% |
| Construction of Buildings | 6,986 | 37,915 | +18.9% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 6,247 | 50,642 | −1.3% |
| Social Assistance | 5,248 | 102,064 | +10.6% |
| Food and Beverage Stores | 5,165 | 104,787 | +2.1% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 4,756 | 25,840 | −4.6% |
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.