Every trade we cover in Houston
| Trade | Near Houston | Typical revenue | Profit margin | Owner pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Med spas | 337 | $562,000 | 12–25% | 10–20% |
| Salons | 975 | $308,000 | 5–15% | 8–18% |
| Dental practices | 2,279 | $1,173,000 | 12–25% | 15–25% |
| Chiropractors | 366 | $401,000 | 10–24% | 12–25% |
| Plumbers | 1,184 | $2,601,000 | 8–20% | 8–18% |
| HVAC companies | 1,184 | $2,601,000 | 5–15% | 8–18% |
| Fitness studios | 521 | $924,000 | 8–22% | 8–18% |
| Law firms | 3,160 | $2,130,000 | 10–25% | 15–30% |
Counts are US Census County Business Patterns for Harris County. Revenue, margin and owner pay are national figures for each trade, anchored on the 2022 Economic Census — a Houston business will sit above or below them depending on its market and how it is run.
Small business numbers in Houston: common questions
- How many small businesses are there in Houston?
- Across the 8 trades on this page, 10,006 employer establishments operate in Harris 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 Houston make?
- 12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $562,000 a year. 337 med spas operate in Harris County.
- What profit margin does a salon in Houston make?
- 5–15% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $308,000 a year. 975 salons operate in Harris County.
- What profit margin does a dental practice in Houston make?
- 12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $1,173,000 a year. 2,279 dental practices operate in Harris County.
- Are these figures specific to Houston?
- The establishment counts and payroll figures are — they come from the US Census Bureau for Harris 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.