Data: owner earnings by business type
What 156 kinds of small business typically make.
For every business model on smbnest: the typical annual revenue of one location or one operator, the share of it the owner keeps, what that is in dollars, and what the business resells for. Built from public industry sources, reviewed through October 2026, and free to cite with a link.
21%Median owner-earnings (SDE) margin across all 156 models, before the owner’s pay, debt and taxes
$300k to $1.8MTypical revenue band of the median model, one location or operator
27Models whose typical owner-earnings band starts above $100k (a band, not a result)
68Of 156 profiles with cited sources; the rest are estimated and flagged
Typical bands, not forecasts. Owner earnings (SDE) is before the owner’s own pay, loan payments and taxes. 88 of 156 profiles are estimated and flagged; the rest are smbnest’s synthesis of the sources listed on each model page, not figures copied from them. smbnest is a self-assessment tool, not individualized advice.
How to read the numbers
Owner earnings is seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE): profit before the owner’s own pay, interest, taxes, depreciation and one-off items. It is the number a business is priced on when it sells, and the number a first-time buyer should care about most, because it is what is left to pay you, pay a manager if you will not work the hours, and pay the loan.
Typical revenue is the band most single locations or single operators fall in. Owner earnings in dollars multiplies the low end of revenue by the low end of margin, and the high by the high, so the band is wide on purpose: a laundromat doing $100k at a 30% margin and one doing $500k at 45% are both real. Use the bands to rule a business in or out, then put your own numbers in the free tools.
Highest owner margins
The share of revenue the owner keeps, midpoint of the typical band.
- Notary Business65% to 85%
- Self-Storage Facility55% to 78%
- Food Delivery Driving55% to 70%
- Mobile Home Park55% to 65%
- Real Estate Investing (Rentals)54% to 62%
- Rideshare Driving45% to 65%
- Dog Walking & Pet Sitting30% to 50%
- Campground / RV Park Business30% to 45%
- Car-Sharing Business30% to 45%
- Laundromat30% to 45%
Thinnest margins
Businesses that need volume, discipline, or both to pay an owner at all.
- Ghost Kitchen3% to 10%
- Convenience Store3% to 10%
- Real Estate Brokerage5% to 10%
- Commercial Real Estate Brokerage7% to 9%
- Bookstore7% to 12%
- Used Car Dealership5% to 15%
- House Flipping7% to 13%
- Amazon Delivery Route (DSP)8% to 14%
- Staffing Agency8% to 15%
- Roofing Company8% to 15%
Highest earnings floor
Owner earnings at the low end of typical revenue and margin: the models whose typical band starts above $100k. A band, not a promise; many operators in any model earn less.
- Self-Storage Facility$220k+
- Hardware Store$195k+
- Mobile Home Park$165k+
- Greenhouse & Nursery Business$160k+
- Metal Fabrication Business$156k+
- Preschool$154k+
- Med Spa$150k+
- Warehousing & Fulfillment$150k+
- Winery & Vineyard$150k+
- Dental Practice$140k+
By category
Median of the models in each category. Sorted by owner margin.
| Category | Models | Median owner margin | Median typical revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal & Consumer Services | 8 | 31% | $338k |
| Financial & Insurance | 5 | 28% | $2.6M |
| Hospitality & Lodging | 5 | 27% | $1.6M |
| Real Estate & Property | 11 | 24% | $1.1M |
| Childcare & Education | 7 | 24% | $675k |
| Professional Services | 12 | 22% | $2.7M |
| Health & Wellness | 12 | 22% | $1.1M |
| Technology & Software | 6 | 22% | $4M |
| Agriculture | 5 | 22% | $1.8M |
| Manufacturing & Wholesale | 7 | 22% | $1.4M |
| Logistics & Transportation | 11 | 21% | $1.6M |
| Home & Trade Services | 19 | 20% | $750k |
| Beauty & Personal Care | 5 | 20% | $370k |
| Automotive | 10 | 20% | $1M |
| Food & Beverage | 13 | 18% | $550k |
| Retail & E-commerce | 12 | 16% | $600k |
| Construction | 8 | 16% | $2.4M |
The full index: 156 business models
Click a column to sort. Every business links to its model page, which lists its sources or labels its figures as estimates. Owner earnings band example: Accounting Firm, $400k to $5M revenue at 10% to 35% is $40k to $1.8M to the owner.
156 of 156 models
| Resale multiple | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Firm | Professional Services | $400k to $5M | 10% to 35% | $40k to $1.8M | estimated | 0.9-1.3x revenue |
| Agritourism Farm | Agriculture | $300k to $3M | 15% to 28% | $45k to $840k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Amazon Delivery Route (DSP) | Logistics & Transportation | $1.5M to $6.5M | 8% to 14% | $120k to $910k | estimated | 2-3.5x SDE |
| Apparel Manufacturing | Manufacturing & Wholesale | $340k to $1.8M | 13% to 24% | $44k to $432k | estimated | 1.7-3.2x SDE |
| Appliance Repair Service | Home & Trade Services | $300k to $900k | 10% to 18% | $30k to $162k | estimated | 2-3.75x SDE |
| Appraisal Business | Real Estate & Property | $150k to $1.5M | 18% to 30% | $27k to $450k | estimated | 2-3.5x SDE |
| Architecture & Engineering Firm | Professional Services | $500k to $8M | 10% to 35% | $50k to $2.8M | estimated | 0.5-1.0x revenue |
| ATM Business | Financial & Insurance | $50k to $400k | 26% to 34% | $13k to $136k | estimated | 1.5-3.5x SDE |
| Auto Body Shop | Automotive | $1.5M to $6M | 8% to 16% | $120k to $960k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Auto Glass Repair | Automotive | $400k to $1.5M | 8% to 22% | $32k to $330k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Auto Repair Shop | Automotive | $500k to $1.3M | 18% to 26% | $90k to $338k | sourced | 2-3x SDE |
| Bakery | Food & Beverage | $300k to $950k | 15% to 22% | $45k to $209k | sourced | 1.6-2.8x SDE |
| Bar / Pub | Food & Beverage | $450k to $1.3M | 14% to 20% | $63k to $260k | sourced | 1.6-3.2x SDE |
| Barbershop | Beauty & Personal Care | $180k to $560k | 20% to 28% | $36k to $157k | sourced | 1.3-2.3x SDE |
| Bed & Breakfast | Hospitality & Lodging | $150k to $600k | 30% to 42% | $45k to $252k | sourced | 6.3x SDE, real estate included |
| Bookkeeping Business | Professional Services | $100k to $1M | 15% to 28% | $15k to $280k | estimated | 0.8-1.5x revenue |
| Bookstore | Retail & E-commerce | $250k to $1.5M | 7% to 12% | $18k to $180k | sourced | 1.5-3x SDE |
| Box-Truck Business | Logistics & Transportation | $300k to $2M | 12% to 20% | $36k to $400k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Brewery / Taproom | Food & Beverage | $400k to $1.8M | 10% to 19% | $40k to $333k | sourced | 2-4.3x SDE |
| Campground / RV Park Business | Hospitality & Lodging | $300k to $3M | 30% to 45% | $90k to $1.4M | sourced | 11-12.5x NOI (8-9% cap rates) |
| Car Wash | Automotive | $240k to $1.2M | 29% to 40% | $70k to $480k | sourced | 3-7x SDE |
| Car-Sharing Business | Automotive | $150k to $2M | 30% to 45% | $45k to $900k | sourced | 1-3x SDE or asset value |
| Carpet Cleaning Company | Home & Trade Services | $100k to $1M | 25% to 45% | $25k to $450k | sourced | 1.5-2.7x SDE |
| Catering Business | Food & Beverage | $150k to $1.6M | 17% to 23% | $26k to $368k | sourced | ~2x SDE |
| Chiropractic Clinic | Health & Wellness | $300k to $1.5M | 18% to 30% | $54k to $450k | sourced | 1.5-3x SDE |
| Clothing Boutique | Retail & E-commerce | $150k to $600k | 18% to 24% | $27k to $144k | sourced | 1.5-2.8x SDE |
| Coffee Shop | Food & Beverage | $250k to $700k | 10% to 20% | $25k to $140k | sourced | 2-3.5x SDE |
| Commercial Cleaning Company | Home & Trade Services | $150k to $2M | 10% to 25% | $15k to $500k | sourced | 1.5-2.7x SDE |
| Commercial Real Estate Brokerage | Real Estate & Property | $500k to $5M | 7% to 9% | $35k to $450k | sourced | 2-4x SDE |
| Concrete & Masonry | Construction | $500k to $3M | 10% to 22% | $50k to $660k | sourced | 1.7-3x SDE |
| Consulting Firm | Professional Services | $500k to $5M | 10% to 35% | $50k to $1.8M | estimated | 2-3.5x SDE |
| Convenience Store | Retail & E-commerce | $500k to $2M | 3% to 10% | $15k to $200k | estimated | 1.3-2.8x SDE |
| Courier Service | Logistics & Transportation | $300k to $3M | 8% to 20% | $24k to $600k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Crop Farm | Agriculture | $200k to $3M | 8% to 18% | $16k to $540k | estimated | Land value + operation |
| Cybersecurity Firm | Technology & Software | $500k to $5M | 15% to 35% | $75k to $1.8M | estimated | 4-8x SDE |
| Dance Studio | Childcare & Education | $150k to $600k | 15% to 30% | $23k to $180k | estimated | 1.3-2.5x SDE |
| Day Spa | Beauty & Personal Care | $500k to $1.4M | 15% to 25% | $75k to $350k | sourced | 1.4-2.8x SDE |
| Daycare Center | Childcare & Education | $400k to $1.8M | 20% to 27% | $80k to $486k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Deli / Sandwich Shop | Food & Beverage | $200k to $550k | 15% to 20% | $30k to $110k | sourced | 1.3-2.5x SDE |
| Demolition Contractor | Construction | $1M to $5M | 12% to 22% | $120k to $1.1M | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Dental Practice | Health & Wellness | $700k to $2M | 20% to 44% | $140k to $880k | estimated | 60-85% of collections · 4-7x EBITDA |
| Dog Walking & Pet Sitting | Personal & Consumer Services | $25k to $250k | 30% to 50% | $8k to $125k | estimated | 1.5-3x SDE |
| Dry-Cleaning Business | Personal & Consumer Services | $300k to $700k | 20% to 30% | $60k to $210k | estimated | 1.4-2.6x SDE |
| E-commerce Store | Retail & E-commerce | $100k to $1M | 18% to 27% | $18k to $270k | sourced | 2.6-4x SDE |
| Electrical Contractor | Home & Trade Services | $400k to $1.1M | 12% to 20% | $48k to $220k | sourced | 2-3.2x SDE |
| Event Venue | Hospitality & Lodging | $300k to $3M | 12% to 25% | $36k to $750k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Event-Planning Service | Personal & Consumer Services | $80k to $500k | 12% to 30% | $10k to $150k | estimated | 1-3x SDE |
| Excavation Contractor | Construction | $1M to $5M | 10% to 22% | $100k to $1.1M | sourced | 2-3x SDE |
| Fencing Contractor | Construction | $400k to $1.5M | 12% to 20% | $48k to $300k | sourced | 2-3x SDE |
| Financial Planning Firm | Financial & Insurance | $500k to $5M | 20% to 35% | $100k to $1.8M | sourced | 2-3x recurring revenue |
| Flooring Installation | Construction | $400k to $1.5M | 10% to 15% | $40k to $225k | estimated | 1.8-3.1x SDE |
| Florist Business | Retail & E-commerce | $200k to $600k | 19% to 25% | $38k to $150k | sourced | 1.4-2.5x SDE |
| Food Delivery Driving | Logistics & Transportation | $18k to $45k | 55% to 70% | $10k to $32k | estimated | No resale value |
| Food Manufacturing Business | Manufacturing & Wholesale | $315k to $1.6M | 19% to 28% | $60k to $443k | estimated | 1.8-3.4x SDE |
| Food Truck | Food & Beverage | $150k to $500k | 21% to 30% | $32k to $150k | sourced | 1.0-2.3x SDE |
| Freight Brokerage | Logistics & Transportation | $400k to $8M | 20% to 35% | $80k to $2.8M | estimated | 3-5x SDE |
| Funeral Home | Personal & Consumer Services | $500k to $2M | 25% to 35% | $125k to $700k | estimated | 3-5x SDE |
| Furniture-Making Business | Manufacturing & Wholesale | $500k to $5M | 11% to 26% | $55k to $1.3M | estimated | 1.7-3.2x SDE |
| Garage Door Service | Home & Trade Services | $400k to $1.2M | 12% to 20% | $48k to $240k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| General Contractor | Construction | $1M to $10M | 10% to 20% | $100k to $2M | estimated | 1.8-3.1x SDE |
| Ghost Kitchen | Food & Beverage | $150k to $600k | 3% to 10% | $5k to $60k | sourced | 1-2x SDE |
| Graphic Design Studio | Professional Services | $200k to $2M | 15% to 30% | $30k to $600k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Greenhouse & Nursery Business | Agriculture | $1M to $10M | 16% to 22% | $160k to $2.2M | estimated | 1.9-4x SDE |
| Grocery Store | Retail & E-commerce | $720k to $3M | 12% to 17% | $84k to $522k | sourced | 1.6-3.2x SDE |
| Gym | Health & Wellness | $300k to $2M | 15% to 30% | $45k to $600k | sourced | 1.7-3x SDE |
| Gym / Fitness Studio | Health & Wellness | $300k to $2M | 25% to 32% | $75k to $640k | estimated | 1.7-3x SDE |
| Hair Salon | Beauty & Personal Care | $360k to $700k | 20% to 28% | $72k to $196k | sourced | 1.3-2.3x SDE |
| Handyman Business | Home & Trade Services | $150k to $500k | 10% to 18% | $15k to $90k | estimated | 2.5-3.5x SDE |
| Hardware Store | Retail & E-commerce | $1.5M to $3M | 13% to 22% | $195k to $660k | sourced | 2-3.9x SDE |
| Home Cleaning Business | Home & Trade Services | $150k to $1M | 20% to 35% | $30k to $350k | sourced | 1.5-2.7x SDE |
| Home Health Agency | Health & Wellness | $750k to $3M | 8% to 18% | $60k to $540k | estimated | 2.2-3.6x SDE |
| Home Inspection Business | Real Estate & Property | $120k to $600k | 18% to 30% | $22k to $180k | estimated | 1.5-3x SDE |
| Home Remodeling | Construction | $750k to $2M | 10% to 22% | $75k to $440k | estimated | 1.8-3.1x SDE |
| Hotel / Motel Business | Hospitality & Lodging | $500k to $5M | 22% to 32% | $110k to $1.6M | sourced | 2.7-6.5x SDE (median about 5.2x) |
| House Flipping | Real Estate & Property | $400k to $3M | 7% to 13% | $28k to $390k | sourced | Per deal |
| HVAC Business | Home & Trade Services | $500k to $5M | 8% to 18% | $40k to $900k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Ice Cream / Dessert Shop | Food & Beverage | $150k to $500k | 18% to 24% | $27k to $120k | estimated | 1.6-2.8x SDE |
| Insurance Agency | Financial & Insurance | $250k to $5M | 20% to 35% | $50k to $1.8M | estimated | 2-3x commissions |
| IT Consulting | Technology & Software | $500k to $5M | 15% to 25% | $75k to $1.3M | sourced | 3-6x SDE |
| IV Hydration & Wellness Clinic | Health & Wellness | $250k to $750k | 15% to 30% | $38k to $225k | estimated | 1.5-2.5x SDE |
| Juice / Smoothie Bar | Food & Beverage | $200k to $550k | 16% to 22% | $32k to $121k | sourced | 1.3-2.5x SDE |
| Junk Removal | Home & Trade Services | $300k to $1.5M | 15% to 25% | $45k to $375k | sourced | 2-4x SDE (asking) |
| Laundromat | Personal & Consumer Services | $100k to $500k | 30% to 45% | $30k to $225k | sourced | 2-4x SDE |
| Law Firm | Professional Services | $500k to $5M | 20% to 35% | $100k to $1.8M | estimated | 0.5-2x revenue / 1-3x SDE |
| Lawn Care & Landscaping | Home & Trade Services | $300k to $1M | 15% to 25% | $45k to $250k | estimated | 1.7-3.0x SDE |
| Liquor Store | Retail & E-commerce | $500k to $2M | 13% to 18% | $65k to $360k | estimated | 2.2-4x SDE |
| Livestock Ranch (Cattle) | Agriculture | $500k to $3M | 25% to 45% | $125k to $1.4M | sourced | Land + herd value |
| Locksmith Service | Home & Trade Services | $150k to $500k | 15% to 25% | $23k to $125k | estimated | ~2x SDE |
| Machine Shop | Manufacturing & Wholesale | $625k to $2.2M | 17% to 30% | $106k to $653k | estimated | 2.3-4.2x SDE |
| Managed IT Services (MSP) | Technology & Software | $500k to $10M | 18% to 30% | $90k to $3M | sourced | 2.2-3.9x SDE sold; asking up to ~6x |
| Marketing Agency | Professional Services | $500k to $5M | 15% to 30% | $75k to $1.5M | sourced | 1-3x SDE |
| Martial Arts School | Childcare & Education | $150k to $900k | 20% to 35% | $30k to $315k | estimated | 1.3-2.5x SDE |
| Massage Therapy Business | Health & Wellness | $150k to $600k | 18% to 28% | $27k to $168k | sourced | 1.5-3x SDE |
| Med Spa | Health & Wellness | $1M to $3M | 15% to 25% | $150k to $750k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Medical Staffing Agency | Professional Services | $800k to $5M | 8% to 15% | $64k to $750k | sourced | 2-3x SDE |
| Medical Transport (NEMT) | Logistics & Transportation | $300k to $3M | 15% to 25% | $45k to $750k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Metal Fabrication Business | Manufacturing & Wholesale | $867k to $3.2M | 18% to 28% | $156k to $888k | estimated | 2.3-3.7x SDE |
| Mobile Detailing | Automotive | $80k to $500k | 20% to 35% | $16k to $175k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Mobile Home Park | Real Estate & Property | $300k to $1.5M | 55% to 65% | $165k to $975k | sourced | NOI / cap rate |
| Mortgage Brokerage | Financial & Insurance | $500k to $5M | 22% to 34% | $110k to $1.7M | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Moving Company | Logistics & Transportation | $300k to $3M | 15% to 25% | $45k to $750k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Music School | Childcare & Education | $150k to $800k | 15% to 30% | $23k to $240k | estimated | 1.6-3x SDE |
| Nail Salon | Beauty & Personal Care | $190k to $500k | 12% to 20% | $23k to $100k | sourced | 1.1-2x SDE |
| Notary Business | Professional Services | $30k to $120k | 65% to 85% | $20k to $102k | estimated | 1-2.5x SDE |
| Oil Change Shop | Automotive | $400k to $1.8M | 12% to 22% | $48k to $396k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Painting Business | Home & Trade Services | $500k to $2M | 15% to 25% | $75k to $500k | sourced | 1.8-3.1x SDE |
| Personal Training Studio | Health & Wellness | $150k to $700k | 23% to 32% | $35k to $224k | estimated | 1.3-2.5x SDE |
| Pest Control | Home & Trade Services | $300k to $1.3M | 20% to 35% | $60k to $455k | sourced | 1.7-3x SDE |
| Pet Boarding & Daycare | Personal & Consumer Services | $400k to $2M | 28% to 34% | $112k to $680k | estimated | 2-3.7x SDE |
| Pet Grooming Business | Personal & Consumer Services | $150k to $600k | 24% to 34% | $36k to $204k | estimated | 1.4-2.5x SDE |
| Pet Store | Retail & E-commerce | $300k to $1M | 11% to 18% | $33k to $180k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Photography Business | Professional Services | $80k to $500k | 8% to 18% | $6k to $90k | estimated | 1-3x SDE |
| Physical Therapy Clinic | Health & Wellness | $400k to $2M | 12% to 22% | $48k to $440k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Pizzeria | Food & Beverage | $300k to $800k | 14% to 20% | $42k to $160k | sourced | 1.5-2.5x SDE |
| Plumbing Company | Home & Trade Services | $500k to $1.5M | 12% to 20% | $60k to $300k | estimated | 1.7-3.2x SDE |
| Pool Service | Home & Trade Services | $280k to $1M | 15% to 25% | $42k to $250k | estimated | 6-12x monthly service revenue |
| Preschool | Childcare & Education | $700k to $1.2M | 22% to 30% | $154k to $360k | estimated | 2-3.5x SDE |
| Pressure Washing Company | Home & Trade Services | $80k to $1M | 25% to 40% | $20k to $400k | estimated | 1.5-2.7x SDE |
| Printing Business | Manufacturing & Wholesale | $432k to $1.8M | 13% to 30% | $56k to $540k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Property-Management Business | Real Estate & Property | $300k to $2M | 15% to 22% | $45k to $440k | sourced | 2-3.2x SDE |
| Quick-Service Restaurant | Food & Beverage | $700k to $2M | 14% to 22% | $98k to $440k | sourced | 2-3.5x SDE |
| Real Estate Brokerage | Real Estate & Property | $1M to $15M | 5% to 10% | $50k to $1.5M | estimated | 3-4x EBITDA |
| Real Estate Investing (Rentals) | Real Estate & Property | $200k to $5M | 54% to 62% | $108k to $3.1M | sourced | NOI ÷ cap rate |
| Restaurant | Food & Beverage | $500k to $1.5M | 14% to 20% | $70k to $300k | sourced | 1.5-2.5x SDE |
| Rideshare Driving | Logistics & Transportation | $25k to $65k | 45% to 65% | $11k to $42k | estimated | No resale value |
| Roofing Company | Home & Trade Services | $1M to $3M | 8% to 15% | $80k to $450k | estimated | 1.8-3.1x SDE |
| SaaS Startup | Technology & Software | $1M to $10M | 10% to 20% | $100k to $2M | sourced | 3-6x ARR or 4-8x SDE |
| Self-Storage Facility | Real Estate & Property | $400k to $700k | 55% to 78% | $220k to $546k | sourced | 5-8% cap rate (about 12-20x NOI) |
| Senior Home Care Agency | Health & Wellness | $400k to $2.5M | 12% to 24% | $48k to $600k | sourced | 2.2-3.6x SDE |
| Short-Term Rental Business | Real Estate & Property | $50k to $500k | 22% to 30% | $11k to $150k | sourced | 2-4x SDE |
| Smoke / Vape Shop | Retail & E-commerce | $200k to $700k | 16% to 26% | $32k to $182k | estimated | 1.2-2.4x SDE |
| Software Development Agency | Technology & Software | $500k to $10M | 15% to 30% | $75k to $3M | sourced | 3-6x SDE |
| Solar Installation | Construction | $1M to $5M | 10% to 22% | $100k to $1.1M | sourced | 1.8-3.1x SDE |
| Staffing Agency | Professional Services | $1M to $10M | 8% to 15% | $80k to $1.5M | sourced | 3-6x SDE |
| Tailoring & Alterations | Personal & Consumer Services | $80k to $300k | 30% to 39% | $24k to $117k | sourced | 1.5-3x SDE |
| Tattoo Studio | Beauty & Personal Care | $60k to $500k | 10% to 25% | $6k to $125k | estimated | 1.3-2.3x SDE |
| Tax Preparation Service | Financial & Insurance | $150k to $2M | 25% to 40% | $38k to $800k | sourced | 1-3x SDE |
| Thrift / Consignment Store | Retail & E-commerce | $120k to $500k | 10% to 20% | $12k to $100k | estimated | 1.6-3.1x SDE |
| Tire Shop | Automotive | $800k to $3.5M | 8% to 18% | $64k to $630k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Title & Escrow | Real Estate & Property | $750k to $5M | 18% to 30% | $135k to $1.5M | sourced | 2-4x SDE |
| Tow Truck Business | Logistics & Transportation | $300k to $3M | 19% to 36% | $57k to $1.1M | sourced | 2-3.9x SDE |
| Travel Agency | Hospitality & Lodging | $45k to $300k | 15% to 30% | $7k to $90k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Tree Service Company | Home & Trade Services | $400k to $1.2M | 10% to 18% | $40k to $216k | sourced | 2-4x SDE |
| Trucking Company | Logistics & Transportation | $150k to $3M | 18% to 23% | $27k to $690k | sourced | 2.3-3.6x SDE |
| Tutoring Service | Childcare & Education | $150k to $1.2M | 20% to 35% | $30k to $420k | estimated | 1.5-3x SDE |
| Used Car Dealership | Automotive | $800k to $8M | 5% to 15% | $40k to $1.2M | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Vending Machine Route | Retail & E-commerce | $40k to $250k | 15% to 30% | $6k to $75k | estimated | 1.8-2.6x SDE |
| Virtual Assistant Business | Professional Services | $150k to $2M | 15% to 30% | $23k to $600k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Vocational School | Childcare & Education | $500k to $5M | 12% to 25% | $60k to $1.3M | estimated | 1.6-3x SDE |
| Warehousing & Fulfillment | Logistics & Transportation | $1M to $10M | 15% to 27% | $150k to $2.7M | estimated | 2.6-4.2x SDE |
| Web Design Agency | Technology & Software | $150k to $2M | 15% to 30% | $23k to $600k | estimated | 2-4x SDE |
| Wholesale Distribution Business | Manufacturing & Wholesale | $560k to $3M | 14% to 19% | $78k to $576k | sourced | 2-3.5x SDE |
| Window Cleaning Company | Home & Trade Services | $80k to $1M | 25% to 40% | $20k to $400k | sourced | 1.5-2.7x SDE |
| Window Tinting Studio | Automotive | $100k to $800k | 20% to 30% | $20k to $240k | estimated | 2-3x SDE |
| Winery & Vineyard | Agriculture | $1M to $5M | 15% to 28% | $150k to $1.4M | estimated | Asset + brand |
| Yoga Studio | Health & Wellness | $250k to $1M | 15% to 28% | $38k to $280k | estimated | 1.3-2.5x SDE |
Method, sources and limits
Each model’s profile on smbnest is compiled from public sources: U.S. Census Bureau business statistics for the industry, Bureau of Labor Statistics wages, SBA lending data, and published marketplace and broker benchmarks (BizBuySell and others) for revenue, owner earnings and sale multiples. The model page lists its sources with a link where the source gives one. The bands are smbnest’s synthesis of those sources, not figures copied from any one of them, and the owner-earnings dollar figures are derived from the revenue and margin bands. 68 of the 156 profiles cite sources for their headline bands; 88 are estimated from adjacent industry data where no direct public benchmark exists, and are flagged “estimated” in the table, on the model page and in the CSV.
Bands are industry-typical, not guarantees. A specific business varies with its location, lease, equipment, and owner. Revenue bands describe one location or one operator; multi-unit operations run higher. Figures are reviewed as the sources update; the most recent review in this index is dated 2026-10-29.
Cite this data
You are welcome to reproduce any figure on this page with attribution and a link:
Source: smbnest, Small Business Owner Earnings Index (2026), https://smbnest.com/data/small-business-owner-earnings
The full dataset is available as CSV. Questions or a correction? hello@smbnest.com.