Industry intelligence · 2025–2026 · 350+ businesses
Profit Margin Benchmarks by Industry
Compare profit margins across hundreds of businesses.
Margin Rankings
Industries ranked by median net profit margin.
| Rank | Industry | Net Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dental Practice 16 – 28% | 22% |
| 2 | Pest Control 15 – 25% | 18% |
| 3 | Chiropractic Clinic 14 – 24% | 18% |
| 4 | Physical Therapy 12 – 22% | 16% |
| 5 | Cleaning Business 10 – 20% | 15% |
| 6 | Veterinary Clinic 10 – 18% | 14% |
| 7 | HVAC 8 – 16% | 12% |
| 8 | Coffee Shop 8 – 16% | 12% |
| 9 | Plumbing 8 – 14% | 11% |
| 10 | Food Truck 7 – 15% | 11% |
Highest Margin Businesses
Industries where operators consistently achieve strong bottom-line profitability.
Lowest Margin Businesses
Industries with thinner margins — often offset by volume or lifestyle factors.
Margin Leaderboard
Industries grouped by profitability tier.
10%+
Above-average net margin operators
- Pest Control
- Dental
- Chiropractic
- Cleaning
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Veterinary
20%+
Top-quartile profitability
- Dental Practice
- Pest Control
- Chiropractic Clinic
Under 10%
Thin-margin industries — volume-driven
- Restaurant
- Landscaping
- Roofing
- Bakery
- Food Truck
Margin Comparisons
Compare profit margins across related industries.
What Drives Margins?
The operational levers that separate top-quartile operators from the rest.
Labor Efficiency
Revenue per employee and utilization rates are the primary margin lever in service businesses.
Recurring Revenue
Predictable contract income reduces marketing costs and stabilizes margins.
Route Density
Clustered stops and tight scheduling minimize drive time and labor waste.
Commercial Accounts
B2B contracts offer volume but often trade margin for stability.
Pricing Power
Specialized skills, licensing, and brand reputation enable premium pricing.
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