State
Businesses in Rhode Island by trade
29,510 employer establishments in 2023, employing 444,256 people (+2.5% establishments since 2017).
RHODE ISLAND · ALL INDUSTRIES
29,510
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 444,256
- Average per site
- 15.1
- Change since 2017
- +2.5%
- Annual payroll
- $27.5 billion
The 12 trades in Rhode Island
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 1,153 | 22,883 | −0.2% | 43 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 487 | 6,567 | +14.6% | 41 |
| Beauty salons | 387 | 1,320 | −2.5% | 38 |
| Barber shops | 27 | 44 | +80.0% | 41 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 494 | 4,410 | +14.4% | 42 |
| Roofing contractors | 79 | 353 | +16.2% | 46 |
| Landscaping services | 794 | 2,885 | +16.9% | 38 |
| Janitorial services | 286 | 3,845 | +13.5% | 43 |
| Child day care | 279 | 4,032 | +2.6% | 47 |
| General auto repair | 330 | 1,316 | −4.9% | 45 |
| Fitness centers | 178 | 2,609 | +9.2% | 42 |
| Pet care services | 128 | 665 | +26.7% | 40 |
Largest industry groups in Rhode Island
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3,085 | 27,333 | +1.7% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 3,046 | 46,039 | +3.4% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 2,277 | 14,778 | +7.6% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 2,026 | 30,041 | −4.7% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 1,788 | 23,657 | +6.9% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 1,187 | 5,581 | +14.0% |
| Construction of Buildings | 1,155 | 5,991 | +19.6% |
| Real Estate | 1,108 | 4,426 | +19.4% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 1,043 | 6,595 | +1.1% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 884 | 5,064 | +3.3% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 724 | 11,996 | −6.5% |
| Food and Beverage Stores | 697 | 13,206 | +5.6% |
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.