State
Businesses in North Carolina by trade
258,169 employer establishments in 2023, employing 4,279,425 people (+10.6% establishments since 2017).
NORTH CAROLINA · ALL INDUSTRIES
258,169
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 4,279,425
- Average per site
- 16.6
- Change since 2017
- +10.6%
- Annual payroll
- $259.7 billion
The 12 trades in North Carolina
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 8,543 | 179,683 | +11.4% | 7 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 2,224 | 26,455 | +50.3% | 11 |
| Beauty salons | 2,226 | 9,747 | +16.3% | 12 |
| Barber shops | 194 | 821 | +60.3% | 11 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 3,973 | 45,037 | +14.9% | 7 |
| Roofing contractors | 816 | 6,139 | +44.7% | 10 |
| Landscaping services | 4,361 | 31,542 | +19.9% | 9 |
| Janitorial services | 2,277 | 31,655 | +10.4% | 7 |
| Child day care | 2,612 | 35,736 | +0.8% | 8 |
| General auto repair | 2,793 | 12,861 | +5.3% | 8 |
| Fitness centers | 1,415 | 23,688 | +16.8% | 8 |
| Pet care services | 931 | 6,825 | +38.5% | 7 |
Largest industry groups in North Carolina
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 28,189 | 316,460 | +13.7% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 21,985 | 428,439 | +13.9% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 18,981 | 265,325 | +17.0% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 17,542 | 156,911 | +20.8% |
| Real Estate | 14,088 | 50,858 | +31.8% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 13,995 | 283,865 | +12.3% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 11,698 | 87,358 | +3.0% |
| Construction of Buildings | 9,306 | 52,834 | +29.3% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 7,392 | 42,692 | +25.1% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 7,181 | 41,905 | +4.0% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 6,935 | 128,891 | −3.1% |
| Social Assistance | 6,182 | 95,125 | +19.2% |
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.