Number of Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
3,335
petroleum and petroleum products merchant wholesalers (except bulk stations and terminals) businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The petroleum and petroleum products merchant wholesalers (except bulk stations and terminals) industry has declined 51.7% since 2000 (from 6,904 to 3,335 firms).
- •The peak year was 2000 with 6,904 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-8.2%).
- •Employment: 100,492 workers in 2023 (-20.7% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 78%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,335 | 6,214 | 100,492 | 7.3% | 4.8% | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 3,391 | 6,062 | 98,432 | 8.0% | 6.8% | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 3,485 | 5,929 | 97,062 | 3.6% | 5.6% | -4.1% |
| 2020 | 3,569 | 6,044 | 100,967 | 6.4% | 5.8% | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 3,631 | 5,984 | 100,616 | 4.4% | 5.9% | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 3,704 | 6,052 | 99,622 | 3.9% | 5.6% | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 3,791 | 6,141 | 98,913 | 4.3% | 6.2% | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 3,964 | 6,289 | 97,961 | 5.3% | 6.4% | -3.8% |
| 2015 | 4,058 | 6,342 | 101,456 | 4.9% | 6.4% | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 4,174 | 6,437 | 101,902 | 5.4% | 5.0% | -0.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.