Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 78% of metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 5.0%.

78%
5-Year Survival Rate
+2.8%
Net Growth Rate
5,960
Total Firms
307
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers a Good Business to Start?

With a 78% five-year survival rate, metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 5.0% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)4.7%
Exit Rate (closures)5.0%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-0.3 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

11.0%
Job Creation Rate
8.2%
Job Destruction Rate
+2.8%
Net Job Growth

The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 146,953 workers across 5,960 firms.

Want to know how much metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers →

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers businesses fail?
Approximately 22% of metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 5.0%, with 307 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers industry growing or shrinking?
The metal service centers and other metal merchant wholesalers industry is currently growing with a net job creation rate of +2.8% per year. New businesses are entering at 4.7% while 5.0% close annually.

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