Every trade we cover in San Diego
| Trade | Near San Diego | Typical revenue | Profit margin | Owner pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Med spas | 425 | $562,000 | 12–25% | 10–20% |
| Salons | 851 | $308,000 | 5–15% | 8–18% |
| Dental practices | 1,943 | $1,173,000 | 12–25% | 15–25% |
| Chiropractors | 447 | $401,000 | 10–24% | 12–25% |
| Plumbers | 1,062 | $2,601,000 | 8–20% | 8–18% |
| HVAC companies | 1,062 | $2,601,000 | 5–15% | 8–18% |
| Fitness studios | 578 | $924,000 | 8–22% | 8–18% |
| Law firms | 2,489 | $2,130,000 | 10–25% | 15–30% |
Counts are US Census County Business Patterns for San Diego County. Revenue, margin and owner pay are national figures for each trade, anchored on the 2022 Economic Census — a San Diego business will sit above or below them depending on its market and how it is run.
Small business numbers in San Diego: common questions
- How many small businesses are there in San Diego?
- Across the 8 trades on this page, 8,857 employer establishments operate in San Diego 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 San Diego make?
- 12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $562,000 a year. 425 med spas operate in San Diego County.
- What profit margin does a salon in San Diego make?
- 5–15% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $308,000 a year. 851 salons operate in San Diego County.
- What profit margin does a dental practice in San Diego make?
- 12–25% of revenue after the owner is paid, on typical turnover of $1,173,000 a year. 1,943 dental practices operate in San Diego County.
- Are these figures specific to San Diego?
- The establishment counts and payroll figures are — they come from the US Census Bureau for San Diego 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.