State
Businesses in Tennessee by trade
150,129 employer establishments in 2023, employing 2,971,417 people (+8.9% establishments since 2017).
TENNESSEE · ALL INDUSTRIES
150,129
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 2,971,417
- Average per site
- 19.8
- Change since 2017
- +8.9%
- Annual payroll
- $175.8 billion
The 12 trades in Tennessee
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 4,962 | 121,246 | +7.6% | 17 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 1,511 | 17,894 | +79.9% | 18 |
| Beauty salons | 1,062 | 6,806 | −2.3% | 22 |
| Barber shops | 115 | 642 | +85.5% | 21 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 1,899 | 25,248 | +20.3% | 21 |
| Roofing contractors | 423 | 4,382 | +38.2% | 21 |
| Landscaping services | 1,991 | 15,585 | +21.9% | 22 |
| Janitorial services | 1,182 | 35,239 | +8.0% | 23 |
| Child day care | 1,242 | 16,838 | −1.9% | 21 |
| General auto repair | 1,332 | 6,427 | +9.3% | 22 |
| Fitness centers | 786 | 12,702 | +27.0% | 18 |
| Pet care services | 514 | 3,208 | +60.6% | 18 |
Largest industry groups in Tennessee
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 13,713 | 286,055 | +15.2% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 12,705 | 198,071 | +11.2% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 12,568 | 141,886 | +9.8% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 8,255 | 97,994 | +24.6% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 7,721 | 63,699 | +1.8% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 7,612 | 281,896 | +13.6% |
| Real Estate | 5,908 | 32,706 | +26.4% |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | 4,957 | 57,059 | −8.6% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 4,222 | 75,740 | −5.2% |
| Personal and Laundry Services | 4,062 | 31,047 | +18.6% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 3,771 | 26,264 | +6.4% |
| Construction of Buildings | 3,751 | 29,211 | +36.5% |
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.