Communication Equipment Repair and Maintenance — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 56% of communication equipment repair and maintenance businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 10.8%.

56%
5-Year Survival Rate
-1.3%
Net Growth Rate
8,916
Total Firms
889
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Communication Equipment Repair and Maintenance a Good Business to Start?

With a 56% five-year survival rate, communication equipment repair and maintenance is near the national average (~50%). This means roughly half of new entrants will still be operating after 5 years — typical business risk that rewards solid planning and execution.

The annual exit rate of 10.8% indicates moderate turnover. Success depends on differentiation, location, and operational efficiency rather than inherent industry advantages.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)8.3%
Exit Rate (closures)10.8%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-2.5 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

10.5%
Job Creation Rate
11.8%
Job Destruction Rate
-1.3%
Net Job Growth

The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 104,729 workers across 8,916 firms.

Want to know how much communication equipment repair and maintenance businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Communication Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of communication equipment repair and maintenance businesses fail?
Approximately 44% of communication equipment repair and maintenance businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 10.8%, with 889 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the communication equipment repair and maintenance industry growing or shrinking?
The communication equipment repair and maintenance industry is currently stable with a net job creation rate of -1.3% per year. New businesses are entering at 8.3% while 10.8% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.