Industrial Hygiene Consulting
OSHA requires it, lawyers demand it, and there are almost no small operators to deliver it
Bottom line
Accessible entry point; validate local supply before buying.
Industrial hygienists assess workplace environments for health hazards — chemical exposure, noise, air quality, ergonomics, radiation, and biological agents — and produce compliance reports that protect companies from OSHA citations, workers' compensation claims, and litigation. The field is undersupplied: the ABIH counts fewer than 9,000 Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) in the US, while OSHA enforcement and plaintiff attorneys create consistent demand. Clients include manufacturing plants, chemical facilities, construction contractors, hospitals, and municipalities. A solo CIH billing $150–$300/hour can generate $250K–$500K/year; firms with 3–5 hygienists regularly cross $1M+. The certification barrier (CIH requires an exam plus qualifying experience) creates durable competitive moats once established.
Avg Revenue
$700K
Profit Margin
58%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 4x
Startup Cost
$20K - $75K
How It Works
The CIH visits client facilities to conduct exposure assessments: air sampling for chemicals (using NIOSH-method pumps and laboratory analysis), noise dosimetry, wipe sampling for metals and asbestos, and ergonomic surveys. Samples are sent to accredited laboratories; results are interpreted against OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs, and ACGIH TLVs. The final report documents findings, compliance status, and control recommendations. Repeat visits happen at regulatory-specified intervals (annually for many OSHA standards) or after process changes. Retainer contracts with large manufacturing clients provide recurring revenue. Expert witness work on occupational disease litigation bills at $300–$600/hour and is a high-margin revenue stream for experienced CIHs.
Revenue Range
BizBite underwriting snapshot
Watch / verify
Industrial Hygiene Consulting has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Category-level fit before lender-specific diligence.
Weak source data caps the final score.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 58% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 8 recent comparable loans
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
- !No category model yet
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 541620 · Environmental Consulting Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | WY | $775K | $912K |
| Nov 2025 | NJ | $25K | $29K |
| Nov 2025 | NJ | $335K | $394K |
| Sep 2025 | PA | $1.8M | $2.1M |
| Sep 2025 | WA | $3.1M | $3.6M |
| May 2025 | CA | $565K | $665K |
| Mar 2025 | SC | $2.2M | $2.6M |
| Dec 2024 | CA | $810K | $953K |
| Feb 2024 | WA | $226K | $266K |
| Jan 2023 | TX | $1.3M | $1.5M |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Under 9,000 CIHs nationally versus thousands of facilities with mandatory compliance needs — market is structurally undersupplied
- +Regulatory and litigation drivers make demand non-discretionary for industries with significant chemical or noise exposure
- +Expert witness engagements on occupational disease cases bill at $300–$600/hour with no field work — pure margin
- +Retainer contracts with large manufacturers create predictable monthly revenue with minimal ongoing sales effort
Cons
- -CIH certification requires passing a rigorous exam and documenting qualifying work experience — not an overnight credential
- -Solo practice creates key-person risk; clients may not transfer if the certified hygienist exits
- -Sampling results and expert opinions can be challenged in regulatory hearings or litigation — professional liability exposure
Best For
Certified Industrial Hygienists or EHS professionals who want to convert their expertise into a high-margin consulting practice with recurring industrial clients
Operating Costs
At $700K revenue: staff hygienist salaries run 25–30%, lab analysis fees 8–12%, sampling equipment and calibration 4–6%, E&O insurance and professional liability 3–5%. Solo CIH owner-operators net 55–65%. Adding staff compresses margins to 40–50% until their billings fill.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
American Industrial Hygiene Association — industry directory and professional network for buyer introductions
Search for EHS and industrial hygiene consulting firms for sale
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Buy price
- $1.4M–$2.8M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Get the full breakdown in your inbox
Weekly boring business breakdowns
One boring business. Real numbers. Every week. Free.