Where is it easiest to open: Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers
51 states, side by side. Operator counts and wages from Census and BLS; licence records matched on “SOC 41-4012” (soc) for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products. A blank gate means NO RECORD MATCHED, which is not the same as no licence.
| State | Operators | Avg staff | Pay / employee | Gate | Licence titles matched |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | 1,247 | 32.9 | $177,943 | licence | Designated Representative License - Wh; Hydroseed Spraying Limited Specialty C |
| FL | 609 | 14.0 | $117,394 | not matched | — |
| TX | 444 | 26.5 | $137,381 | licence | EGG DEALER/WHOLESALER |
| NY | 301 | 31.1 | $154,959 | not matched | — |
| IL | 260 | 49.2 | $131,340 | exam | AQUATIC LIFE DEALER, RETAIL & WHOLESAL; BROKER, MEAT/POULTRY/MEAT AND POULTRY |
| NJ | 210 | 38.8 | $122,713 | not matched | — |
| OH | 202 | 25.5 | $110,956 | licence | Alcohol Wholesaler/Importer Permit; Brewery/Brewpub Federal Permit |
| PA | 195 | 26.4 | $110,315 | not matched | — |
| GA | 195 | 25.7 | $111,813 | not matched | — |
| MA | 180 | 35.8 | $170,767 | not matched | — |
| MN | 159 | 22.6 | $125,112 | licence | Agricultural Liming Material License; Club On Sale Retail Liquor License |
| AZ | 156 | 40.5 | $131,621 | not matched | — |
| VA | 143 | 47.2 | $164,625 | licence | Charitable Gaming Organization; Commercial Feed License |
| WA | 138 | 46.0 | $168,144 | not matched | — |
| CO | 135 | 34.4 | $169,863 | exam | Egg Seller; Liquor License |
| MI | 132 | 17.2 | $120,256 | exam | Livestock Dealer; Livestock Trucker |
| NC | 131 | 78.8 | $136,172 | licence | Alcoholic Beverage Distributor/Vendor ; Bedding Manufacturer's |
| MD | 107 | 27.3 | $192,815 | not matched | — |
| WI | 101 | 27.0 | $103,469 | licence | ANIMAL FOOD PROCESSOR |
| CT | 80 | 18.5 | $128,133 | licence | Casino Class I Employee; Livestock Dealer/broker |
| MO | 79 | 46.3 | $149,362 | not matched | — |
| TN | 78 | 29.3 | $122,112 | not matched | — |
| KY | 70 | 20.1 | $70,985 | exam | Limited Livestock Auctioneer; Livestock Dealer |
| UT | 66 | 28.9 | $105,736 | not matched | — |
| SC | 63 | 43.7 | $113,487 | not matched | — |
| OR | 60 | 23.4 | $154,079 | not matched | — |
| NH | 56 | 16.6 | $130,328 | not matched | — |
| IN | 56 | 38.7 | $96,294 | not matched | — |
| KS | 48 | 26.9 | $125,139 | not matched | — |
| NV | 46 | 20.3 | $97,395 | not matched | — |
| OK | 44 | 14.0 | $94,544 | licence | Feeding Assistant |
| DE | 43 | 5.7 | $117,115 | not matched | — |
| NE | 33 | 17.1 | $110,117 | licence | Alcohol Establishment; Commercial Dog or Cat Breeder |
| IA | 30 | 17.4 | $120,401 | not matched | — |
| ID | 27 | 95.2 | $200,230 | not matched | — |
| AL | 25 | 15.6 | $98,790 | not matched | — |
| AR | 23 | 15.9 | $85,203 | licence | Feed Facility License; Grain Dealer |
| LA | 22 | 14.8 | $98,135 | not matched | — |
| ND | 20 | 15.8 | $83,991 | not matched | — |
| NM | 20 | 13.1 | $106,145 | not matched | — |
| ME | 18 | 13.9 | $117,944 | not matched | — |
| HI | 17 | 5.9 | $153,347 | not matched | — |
| DC | 17 | 18.8 | $217,859 | not matched | — |
| RI | 12 | 9.2 | $127,900 | licence | Livestock Dealer |
| VT | 10 | 27.2 | $129,353 | not matched | — |
| SD | 10 | 9.7 | $103,474 | not matched | — |
| WV | 10 | 6.9 | $92,884 | not matched | — |
| MT | 9 | 5.1 | $293,913 | licence | Fire Protection - Firework Wholesaler |
| WY | 9 | 3.7 | $190,758 | not matched | — |
| MS | 8 | 16.0 | $86,570 | not matched | — |
| AK | 3 | 3.7 | $170,182 | not matched | — |
Axes are shown side by side and deliberately NOT collapsed into a ranking. A composite would be a score with no measured interval, and an unmeasured score is the thing this product exists to argue against. A high licence gate is a cost to enter and a moat once cleared — which of those matters more is the operator's call, not ours.
Licence data courtesy of CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Free to read, no account, always — a condition of the data licence as well as our own position.