Charlotte, NC

What do businesses in Charlotte actually make?

Across the trades below, 2,863 businesses operate in Mecklenburg County. Here is what a typical one keeps, what the owner takes home, and how many you are up against — then check your own in 90 seconds.

Every trade we cover in Charlotte

TradeNear CharlotteTypical revenueProfit marginOwner pay
Med spas143$562,00012–25%10–20%
Salons448$308,0005–15%8–18%
Dental practices580$1,173,00012–25%15–25%
Chiropractors181$401,00010–24%12–25%
Plumbers291$2,601,0008–20%8–18%
HVAC companies291$2,601,0005–15%8–18%
Fitness studios259$924,0008–22%8–18%
Law firms670$2,130,00010–25%15–30%

Counts are US Census County Business Patterns for Mecklenburg County. Revenue, margin and owner pay are national figures for each trade, anchored on the 2022 Economic Census — a Charlotte business will sit above or below them depending on its market and how it is run.

Small business numbers in Charlotte: common questions

How many small businesses are there in Charlotte?
Across the 8 trades on this page, 2,863 employer establishments operate in Mecklenburg County. That is the US Census Bureau's County Business Patterns count, which covers businesses with payroll — sole traders working alone are not in it.
What profit margin does a med spa in Charlotte make?
12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $562,000 a year. 143 med spas operate in Mecklenburg County.
What profit margin does a salon in Charlotte make?
5–15% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $308,000 a year. 448 salons operate in Mecklenburg County.
What profit margin does a dental practice in Charlotte make?
12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $1,173,000 a year. 580 dental practices operate in Mecklenburg County.
Are these figures specific to Charlotte?
The establishment counts and payroll figures are — they come from the US Census Bureau for Mecklenburg County. Revenue, profit margin and owner pay are national figures for each trade, because margin is set far more by how a business is run than by which city it sits in. The free audit compares your own business against both.

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