Portland, OR

What do businesses in Portland actually make?

Across the trades below, 2,284 businesses operate in Multnomah 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 Portland

TradeNear PortlandTypical revenueProfit marginOwner pay
Med spas249$562,00012–25%10–20%
Salons238$308,0005–15%8–18%
Dental practices375$1,173,00012–25%15–25%
Chiropractors185$401,00010–24%12–25%
Plumbers172$2,601,0008–20%8–18%
HVAC companies172$2,601,0005–15%8–18%
Fitness studios114$924,0008–22%8–18%
Law firms779$2,130,00010–25%15–30%

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

Small business numbers in Portland: common questions

How many small businesses are there in Portland?
Across the 8 trades on this page, 2,284 employer establishments operate in Multnomah 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 Portland make?
12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $562,000 a year. 249 med spas operate in Multnomah County.
What profit margin does a salon in Portland make?
5–15% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $308,000 a year. 238 salons operate in Multnomah County.
What profit margin does a dental practice in Portland make?
12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $1,173,000 a year. 375 dental practices operate in Multnomah County.
Are these figures specific to Portland?
The establishment counts and payroll figures are — they come from the US Census Bureau for Multnomah 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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