State
Businesses in North Dakota by trade
25,402 employer establishments in 2023, employing 352,108 people (+3.3% establishments since 2017).
NORTH DAKOTA · ALL INDUSTRIES
25,402
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 352,108
- Average per site
- 13.9
- Change since 2017
- +3.3%
- Annual payroll
- $21.9 billion
The 12 trades in North Dakota
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 582 | 12,006 | −0.5% | 49 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 235 | 2,182 | +69.1% | 48 |
| Beauty salons | 240 | 1,022 | −0.4% | 45 |
| Barber shops | 20 | 83 | +100.0% | 44 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 336 | 3,368 | −0.9% | 47 |
| Roofing contractors | 69 | 419 | +4.5% | 49 |
| Landscaping services | 285 | 1,209 | +4.8% | 49 |
| Janitorial services | 250 | 2,777 | +13.6% | 48 |
| Child day care | 374 | 3,915 | +13.0% | 43 |
| General auto repair | 295 | 1,326 | +20.4% | 46 |
| Fitness centers | 112 | 2,168 | +15.5% | 47 |
| Pet care services | 71 | 473 | +57.8% | 46 |
Largest industry groups in North Dakota
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 1,966 | 16,414 | −1.7% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1,954 | 15,316 | +7.1% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 1,815 | 27,410 | +7.1% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 1,394 | 18,546 | +23.9% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 1,185 | 7,248 | +2.0% |
| Truck Transportation | 1,065 | 9,157 | −0.6% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 1,031 | 12,964 | +2.9% |
| Real Estate | 923 | 4,017 | +4.8% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 900 | 11,778 | +6.9% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 850 | 4,275 | +7.6% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 800 | 10,357 | −3.0% |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | 791 | 6,102 | +0.9% |
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.