Number of Metal Heat Treating Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
4,572
metal heat treating businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The metal heat treating industry has declined 15.8% since 2000 (from 5,428 to 4,572 firms).
- •The peak year was 2002 with 5,547 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-4.0%).
- •Employment: 121,730 workers in 2023 (-21.5% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 77%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4,572 | 5,167 | 121,730 | 4.3% | 5.1% | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 4,606 | 5,178 | 118,084 | 5.4% | 6.1% | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 4,601 | 5,183 | 116,659 | 4.6% | 5.9% | -8.5% |
| 2020 | 4,665 | 5,235 | 125,955 | 4.1% | 5.5% | -3.9% |
| 2019 | 4,763 | 5,329 | 132,837 | 3.5% | 5.3% | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 4,844 | 5,408 | 129,505 | 4.7% | 4.9% | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 4,751 | 5,309 | 127,881 | 4.1% | 6.0% | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 4,904 | 5,461 | 126,846 | 4.7% | 5.8% | -2.0% |
| 2015 | 4,946 | 5,510 | 130,019 | 4.5% | 5.3% | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 4,993 | 5,539 | 128,055 | 4.3% | 4.4% | +2.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.