Number of Software Publishers Businesses in the US (20002023)

As of 2023

11,688

software publishers businesses in the United States

Number of Firms Over Time

4K7K9K11K13K20002005201020152020Number of Firms

Total Employment Over Time

293K453K613K773K932K20002005201020152020Total Employees

Key Insights

  • The software publishers industry has grown 53.3% since 2000 (from 7,626 to 11,688 firms).
  • The peak year was 2023 with 11,688 firms.
  • Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is growing (+24.3%).
  • Employment: 847,635 workers in 2023 (152.6% change since 2000).
  • Estimated 5-year survival rate: 50%.

Year-by-Year Data

YearFirmsEstablishmentsEmploymentEntry RateExit RateNet Growth
202311,68815,449847,63515.5%13.0%+3.3%
202211,25114,972814,04818.2%13.7%+11.4%
202110,42714,224728,35917.0%11.5%+5.4%
20209,69513,237691,19915.4%11.4%+5.5%
20199,40612,676650,98514.6%11.4%+4.4%
20188,89412,197620,73416.4%11.1%+3.3%
20178,25411,563609,47313.2%9.1%+4.5%
20166,8889,981526,35215.4%9.7%+6.7%
20156,2589,166487,79914.3%10.3%+4.3%
20145,8398,707446,40913.2%7.7%+4.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.