Paint and Coating Manufacturing — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 75% of paint and coating manufacturing businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 5.6%.

75%
5-Year Survival Rate
+5.2%
Net Growth Rate
1,208
Total Firms
68
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Paint and Coating Manufacturing a Good Business to Start?

With a 75% five-year survival rate, paint and coating manufacturing 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 5.6% 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)4.8%
Exit Rate (closures)5.6%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-0.9 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

10.9%
Job Creation Rate
5.7%
Job Destruction Rate
+5.2%
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: 75,497 workers across 1,208 firms.

Want to know how much paint and coating manufacturing businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Paint and Coating Manufacturing

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of paint and coating manufacturing businesses fail?
Approximately 25% of paint and coating manufacturing businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 5.6%, with 68 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the paint and coating manufacturing industry growing or shrinking?
The paint and coating manufacturing industry is currently growing with a net job creation rate of +5.2% per year. New businesses are entering at 4.8% while 5.6% close annually.

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