Every Managed Service Provider has a tale about a client whose network "just went down on its own," which is about as believable as a dog eating your homework. Jokes aside, the real question keeping MSPs up at night is this: Who actually needs your services the most, and, perhaps more importantly, who is willing (and able) to pay handsomely for them?
Below, we’ll spotlight the industries where MSPs see the fattest margins and most ferocious need. If you’re an MSP looking to scale, or an industry professional wondering why you suddenly have a line of IT folks at your door, keep reading. It’s time to find out what makes an industry truly profitable for the world of managed services.
Ever tried running a medical practice without IT? It’s like open-heart surgery with a butter knife. Healthcare facilities are required to comply with HIPAA (and now, a parade of additional privacy frameworks), manage sensitive patient data, and keep things running around the clock. A single breach can cost millions and, more devastating, annihilate trust.
This isn’t just scaremongering. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybercrime damages will hit an eye-watering $10.5 trillion by 2025. Most healthcare providers can’t afford a full-scale in-house IT department, yet they’re held to the strictest standards. MSPs are a lifeline, providing everything from encrypted EHRs to ironclad firewalls.
Profit pulse: The need for round-the-clock support, always-on backups, and surgical-grade security creates abundant recurring revenue. And with telemedicine and digital health here to stay, the need for MSPs in this sector is only increasing.
If money makes the world go round, then the finance sector is practically spinning off its axis. Banks, investment firms, and insurance companies gamble daily with vast pools of sensitive data. The stakes of a breach? Devastating fines, furious clients, and regulatory pain.
That’s why compliance isn’t optional; it’s existential. With highly publicized hacks and increasingly complex regulations, financial organizations turn to MSPs to maintain impenetrable digital fortresses. Regular audits, secure workflows, managed cloud, and rigorous patch management aren’t luxuries; they’re requirements.
Profit pulse: Financial firms must show regulators they're protecting assets, comply with shifting mandates, and never skip a beat. MSPs who can offer bulletproof security and compliance expertise will find plenty of clients willing to pay a premium.
Manufacturing is where forklifts meet firewalls. Plants and supply chains now run on data, and downtime means disaster. Many manufacturers labor under legacy systems that see digital transformation as a polite suggestion rather than a survival strategy.
Nevertheless, the industry is waking up. Trends like IoT, smart factories, digital twins, and predictive analytics are making the sector more IT-hungry than ever. The challenge? Bridging old tech with modern networks, all while fending off a rising tide of ransomware.
Profit pulse: MSPs who can tame legacy beasts, automate maintenance, and ensure 99.9 percent uptime are in hot demand. Manufacturing’s shift to real-time data and automation means growth for MSPs is not just likely; it’s inevitable.
Law firms are data goldmines. Every merger, acquisition, or estate dispute lives inside sprawling repositories of confidential documents. Losing a file or facing a breach doesn’t just annoy clients; it can damage cases and careers.
Legal professionals must also dance around compliance dragons like GDPR. MSPs bring secure document management, streamlined eDiscovery, encrypted communications, and swift disaster recovery. The sector’s classic aversion to change means those who modernize get a major competitive advantage.
Profit pulse: Legal clients value precision, reliability, and confidentiality. They are often willing to pay higher rates for white-glove service and specialized support from MSPs that “get” the unique realities of their field.
Colleges and universities today are not just hallowed halls of learning; they are also massive data collectors, juggling records under FERPA rules, online learning, cloud platforms, and thousands of endpoints. Students expect uninterrupted connectivity; administrators worry about ransomware and privacy leaks.
Most educational IT departments are stretched thin. MSPs can step in with scalable help desks, secure cloud migrations, compliance expertise, and anti-phishing training for staff and students alike.
Profit pulse: Education operates on tight budgets but faces mounting digital risk and must meet legal compliance. Long-term contracts and operational complexity give MSPs recurring revenue opportunities and lasting partnerships.
Picture multimillion-dollar projects coming to a screeching halt because an email server crashed or blueprints vanished into the digital ether. Construction companies increasingly rely on cloud-based project management, site apps, and real-time collaboration for regulatory documents, communications, and timelines.
MSPs can be the difference between a smooth build and a catastrophe by offering reliable IT uptime, secure file sharing, network optimization across locations, and mobile device management.
Profit pulse: The industry faces more stringent deadlines and compliance checks by the day. MSPs can reduce costly downtime and keep projects moving, turning construction firms into some of IT's most grateful (and loyal) clients. Don’t be surprised if they offer you a hard hat at the kick-off meeting.
Think about it. Guests now expect streaming Wi-Fi, mobile check-in, and flawless booking systems. Hospitality businesses risk a PR nightmare if IT glitches derail reservations or leak sensitive data.
Hotels and restaurants also face PCI DSS scrutiny for financial transactions and must keep pace with new apps and IoT devices (hello, smart minibars). MSPs enable the digital guest experience with secure networks, CRM integrations, and bulletproof payment processing.
Profit pulse: Uptime and smooth service are crucial. MSPs who prevent reviews starting with “Wi-Fi disaster zone” or “system crash at brunch” will find loyalty (and recurring revenue) in spades.
Still don’t believe these industries are an MSP’s gateway to growth? Here’s what’s accelerating demand
Organizations can’t afford downtime, data loss, or compliance failures. MSPs with the right expertise are no longer a nice-to-have; they are business-critical.
A bit of wisdom. You don’t become profitable just by chasing the latest “boom industry” or jumping on trends. The most successful MSPs find sectors that match their expertise, their tech stack, and, yes, their sense of humor (trust me, you’ll need it).
Tap into your own background and network. Do you understand a sector's pain points, jargon, and quirks? Did it take you less than five minutes to find the coffee machine in a hospital, bank, or construction trailer? Then start there. Play to your strengths and build out, rather than wandering into fields riddled with unknowns.
Attend industry trade shows, join professional associations, and soak in your prospects’ world. You’ll serve your clients better (and enjoy the work more) if you’re genuinely invested.
For more tips on how to increase profitability, read our blog on MSP Business Models Explained: Which Is Best for Profitability?
Profitable MSP partnerships are born when industry pain meets IT know-how. Healthcare, finance, manufacturing, legal, education, construction, and hospitality are just a few of the most promising fields. Each offers unique challenges and, for those who get it right, incredibly loyal and lucrative clients.
Looking for a proven guide? At Bering McKinley, we’ve spent decades helping MSPs and the businesses they serve maximize profits, reduce risk, and grow smarter (often with a wry grin).
If you’re ready to identify your best-fit industry and scale with confidence, reach out to our team now. We’ll help you build a pipeline brimming with clients who value what you do.
Start profiting where it matters most. Book your consultation with Bering McKinley today.