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How Many Employees does a Small Business have?



By: Jack Nicholaisen
Business Initiative

The number of employees at small businesses can vary greatly depending on the industry in which they operate.

In this article, we will explore the average number of employees at small businesses across different industries.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), a small business has fewer than 500 employees.

This definition applies to a wide range of industries, including retail, manufacturing, construction, and professional services.

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Retail

Retail is one of the most common industries for small businesses.

In this industry, the average number of employees is around 10-15.

This amount varies based on the size of the store and the type of retail business.

For example, a small boutique may only have a few employees, while a larger department store may have dozens.

Manufacturing

The average number of employees in a manufacturing business is around 20-25.

This number can vary depending on the complexity of the manufacturing process and the size of the company.

For example, a small manufacturer of artisanal products may only have a handful of employees, while a larger manufacturer of complex machinery may have hundreds.

Construction

The small companies in the construction industry have 5-10 employees on average, but can vary depending on the size of the construction company and the projects they specialize in.

For example, a small contractor that specializes in home renovations may only have a few employees, while a larger construction company that builds commercial buildings may have dozens.

Professional

Many small businesses provide professional services.

This industry includes a wide range of businesses, such as law firms, accounting firms, and consulting firms.

The average number of employees is around 5-10.

This number varies according to the size of the firm and the type of services they offer.

For example, a small law firm that specializes in family law may only have a handful of employees, while a larger law firm that handles corporate law may have dozens.

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It’s important to note that these are just averages, and the number of employees at small businesses can vary greatly depending on the specific business and industry.

For example, a small tech startup may only have a few employees, while a small restaurant may have dozens working in different shifts.


Sources

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About the Author

jack nicholaisen
Jack Nicholaisen

Jack Nicholaisen is the founder of Businessinitiative.org. After acheiving the rank of Eagle Scout and studying Civil Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), he has spent the last 4 years disecting the mess of informaiton online about LLCs in order to help aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners better understand everything there is to know about starting, running, and growing Limited Liability Companies and other business entities.