Professional & B2B Services Valuation Multiples (2026)
Professional services value follows retainer coverage and whether revenue survives the founder. Transferable management and >25% EBITDA margins move deals toward the top of the range.
Professional Services vs peer EV/EBITDA comps (2026)
Bars = median multiple; whiskers = published low–high range. Source: ExitVelocity lower middle-market benchmarks · Q3 2026.
Example: B2B advisory / agency valuation
Specialized B2B services firm, $2.2M revenue, 55% retainer revenue, 28% EBITDA margin, managing director below founder.
At $615K EBITDA, a 4.9x services median implies ~$3.01M EV. High retainer mix and a non-founder MD support premium pricing; project-only books with founder rainmaking discount toward 4.2x.
- • Retainer mix >50%
- • Transferable management
- • EBITDA margin >25%
- • Founder owns all client relationships
- • Project-only revenue
Illustrative only — not a formal appraisal. Re-run with your financials in the free AI valuation calculator.
What moves professional services multiples
Multi-year retainer contracts, transferable management, strong EBITDA margin (>25%).
Use these benchmarks with an AI valuation that adjusts for margin profile, growth, and owner dependency — not a flat industry average alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical Professional Services EBITDA multiple in 2026?
Professional & B2B Services trades at a median of 4.9x EV/EBITDA (range 4.2x – 6.0x) in the lower middle market, based on ExitVelocity’s 2026 deal benchmarks.
What SDE multiple do Professional Services businesses sell for?
Owner-operated professional services companies typically clear a median 3.0x SDE multiple (range 2.5x – 3.5x), depending on recurring revenue quality and owner dependency.
What drives premium Professional Services valuations?
Multi-year retainer contracts, transferable management, strong EBITDA margin (>25%).
Example: what is a Professional Services business with $615,000 EBITDA worth?
Using 2026 professional services multiples, $615,000 EBITDA × 4.9x median ≈ $3,013,500 enterprise value (range roughly $2,583,000–$3,690,000 at 4.2x–6x). At $615K EBITDA, a 4.9x services median implies ~$3.01M EV. High retainer mix and a non-founder MD support premium pricing; project-only books with founder rainmaking discount toward 4.2x.
Related industry multiples
Also see: 2026 example business valuations · SDE vs EBITDA · How AI business valuation works