Where is it easiest to open: Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
47 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 | 139 | 60.1 | $74,762 | licence | Designated Representative License - Wh; Hydroseed Spraying Limited Specialty C |
| NY | 112 | 51.0 | $75,138 | not matched | — |
| PA | 88 | 28.8 | $63,158 | not matched | — |
| TX | 71 | 128.0 | $68,362 | licence | EGG DEALER/WHOLESALER |
| FL | 53 | 94.3 | $64,401 | not matched | — |
| IL | 40 | 68.8 | $91,588 | exam | AQUATIC LIFE DEALER, RETAIL & WHOLESAL; BROKER, MEAT/POULTRY/MEAT AND POULTRY |
| WA | 32 | 76.7 | $69,481 | not matched | — |
| MA | 30 | 60.4 | $80,237 | not matched | — |
| MD | 28 | 34.5 | $62,470 | not matched | — |
| OR | 28 | 63.6 | $59,898 | not matched | — |
| OH | 28 | 86.4 | $57,341 | licence | Alcohol Wholesaler/Importer Permit; Brewery/Brewpub Federal Permit |
| NC | 24 | 49.6 | $59,441 | licence | Alcoholic Beverage Distributor/Vendor ; Bedding Manufacturer's |
| CO | 23 | 79.7 | $65,100 | exam | Egg Seller; Liquor License |
| HI | 22 | 57.6 | $72,259 | not matched | — |
| MI | 21 | 74.0 | $58,273 | exam | Livestock Dealer; Livestock Trucker |
| NJ | 21 | 64.0 | $78,451 | not matched | — |
| MO | 20 | 62.6 | $66,775 | not matched | — |
| VA | 20 | 69.5 | $68,192 | licence | Charitable Gaming Organization; Commercial Feed License |
| AZ | 15 | 143.6 | $66,738 | not matched | — |
| SC | 14 | 37.9 | $56,630 | not matched | — |
| KY | 13 | 50.0 | $76,549 | exam | Limited Livestock Auctioneer; Livestock Dealer |
| OK | 12 | 77.8 | $65,566 | licence | Feeding Assistant |
| MN | 12 | 58.4 | $78,121 | licence | Agricultural Liming Material License; Club On Sale Retail Liquor License |
| AL | 12 | 108.1 | $50,826 | not matched | — |
| NM | 11 | 61.9 | $53,921 | not matched | — |
| NE | 11 | 43.3 | $59,391 | licence | Alcohol Establishment; Commercial Dog or Cat Breeder |
| WI | 11 | 120.5 | $61,971 | licence | ANIMAL FOOD PROCESSOR |
| NV | 10 | 71.7 | $60,596 | not matched | — |
| MT | 10 | 56.2 | $44,623 | licence | Fire Protection - Firework Wholesaler |
| WY | 9 | 15.8 | $41,014 | not matched | — |
| TN | 9 | 77.6 | $63,669 | not matched | — |
| AR | 9 | 45.3 | $69,917 | licence | Feed Facility License; Grain Dealer |
| GA | 8 | 146.1 | $60,854 | not matched | — |
| VT | 8 | 53.1 | $63,866 | not matched | — |
| CT | 7 | 92.4 | $72,359 | licence | Casino Class I Employee; Livestock Dealer/broker |
| DE | 6 | 30.7 | $59,473 | not matched | — |
| UT | 6 | 138.3 | $55,027 | not matched | — |
| LA | 6 | 114.2 | $48,778 | not matched | — |
| IN | 5 | 139.2 | $61,034 | not matched | — |
| RI | 5 | 22.8 | $77,886 | licence | Livestock Dealer |
| DC | 5 | 36.2 | $68,867 | not matched | — |
| ID | 5 | 76.4 | $56,264 | not matched | — |
| WV | 4 | 16.8 | $55,925 | not matched | — |
| NH | 3 | 158.7 | $79,034 | not matched | — |
| ME | 3 | 133.3 | $58,930 | not matched | — |
| KS | 3 | 70.3 | $59,431 | not matched | — |
| SD | 3 | 72.0 | $53,528 | 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.