Revenue Per Employee Benchmarks by Industry
Revenue per employee is the cleanest single measure of how much output a business gets per person. These figures come straight from the US Census Bureau — 21 industries, broken down by headcount band, for firms with 10 to 99 people.
US Census category 5412. The plain names after the dash are ours; the official one is what the figure is filed under.
| Band | 10–19 | 20–49 | 50–99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue/employee | $130,808 | $140,384 | $144,917 |
2017: $106,636 → 2022: $137,766 (+29.2% nominal, largely price inflation)
Summary you can paste anywhere
Why this metric
Most operational metrics are internal — they tell you whether this quarter beat last quarter. Revenue per employee is one of the few you can benchmark against the whole economy, because the Census publishes both halves of the fraction.
It is also the number that moves when automation works. If agents take repetitive work off your team and you grow without hiring proportionally, revenue per employee goes up. If you automate and it changes nothing, it doesn’t.
All 21 industries at a glance
The industry names are the Census Bureau’s own and we have not changed them, but several of them are nobody’s idea of a job title. An HVAC company is filed under Building Equipment Contractors; a marketing agency under Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services; an MSP under Computer Systems Design. The second line in each row is the plain version, so you can find yourself without learning the taxonomy first.
Firms with 10–99 employees, reference year 2022:
| Industry | 10–19 | 20–49 | 50–99 | 2017→2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wholesale Tradedistributors, wholesalers, importers | $1,036,713 | $1,097,401 | $1,192,085 | +37.5% |
| Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokersreal estate brokerages, agent teams | $512,077 | $479,936 | $502,508 | +30.6% |
| Retail Tradeshops, e-commerce sellers, dealerships | $329,022 | $422,193 | $586,182 | +32.2% |
| Constructiongeneral contractors, builders, home builders | $313,738 | $362,470 | $398,254 | +28% |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Servicesmarketing agencies, ad agencies, PR firms | $288,980 | $302,193 | $319,050 | +35.8% |
| Manufacturingmanufacturers, fabricators, job shops | $230,989 | $272,924 | $330,966 | +28.1% |
| Computer Systems Design and Related ServicesIT services, MSPs, software development shops, systems integrators | $278,237 | $277,855 | $285,407 | +28.4% |
| Legal Serviceslaw firms | $234,116 | $252,602 | $269,352 | +18.3% |
| Building Equipment ContractorsHVAC contractors, plumbing contractors, electrical contractors | $220,405 | $247,018 | $271,733 | +25.9% |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Servicesconsulting firms, management consultants | $252,735 | $242,399 | $239,055 | +24.6% |
| Truck Transportationtrucking companies, freight carriers, fleets | $266,073 | $241,783 | $212,281 | +24.9% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Servicesthe professional services sector as a whole | $216,794 | $233,420 | $254,633 | +26.5% |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Servicesarchitecture firms, engineering firms, surveyors | $210,894 | $230,855 | $246,608 | +21.2% |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activitiesinsurance agencies, insurance brokers | $194,138 | $239,001 | $272,812 | +21.5% |
| Transportation and Warehousingcarriers, 3PLs, warehousing | $260,903 | $231,257 | $185,227 | +23.9% |
| Offices of Physiciansmedical practices, physician groups, clinics | $198,714 | $215,583 | $226,249 | +20.3% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Servicesoutpatient care, urgent care, home health | $146,230 | $150,403 | $148,318 | +15.2% |
| Offices of Dentistsdental practices | $142,064 | $151,159 | $166,671 | +15.5% |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll ServicesCPA firms, accounting firms, bookkeepers, payroll bureaus | $130,808 | $140,384 | $144,917 | +29.2% |
| Employment Servicesstaffing agencies, recruiting firms, temp agencies | $172,626 | $125,886 | $99,764 | +35% |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Placesrestaurants, cafes, fast casual, bars serving food | $73,094 | $65,447 | $68,748 | +33.3% |
Three things to know before you compare yourself.
These are averages, not medians. Each figure is total receipts divided by total employment within a band, so the largest firm in the band pulls it upward. The Census publishes no distribution, so nobody can tell you the median — including the sites that claim to.
“Receipts” means different things by sector. Wholesale and retail figures are gross merchandise sales, not margin. Manufacturing is value of shipments including intra-company transfers. Advertising agencies report commissions, not media billings. Comparing a wholesaler to a law firm is meaningless — the tool shows a warning wherever this applies.
The data is from 2022. Census publishes receipts only in years ending in 2 and 7, so this is the newest available and the next release is 2027 data in roughly 2030. It is about three and a half years old. We have not inflation-adjusted it, because that would be an estimate presented as a measurement.
Found your row? The number that moves it is how much repetitive work sits under each head. Put one of those tasks through the ROI calculator and you get the hours and the money it is costing you now.
Each industry on its own
The table above is the fast comparison. Below is the same data one sector at a time, under the name the trade actually uses, so you can link straight to yours.
distributors, wholesalers, importers
Filed by the Census as Wholesale Trade (NAICS 42). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $1,112,299 — $1,036,713 at 10–19 staff, $1,097,401 at 20–49, and $1,192,085 at 50–99. That is up 37.5% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 60,942 firms and 1,560,916 employees.
Read this one carefully. Receipts are gross merchandise sales, not margin — which is why wholesale looks enormous. Not comparable to a services firm.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the wholesale distribution page.
real estate brokerages, agent teams
Filed by the Census as Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers (NAICS 5312). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $497,667 — $512,077 at 10–19 staff, $479,936 at 20–49, and $502,508 at 50–99. That is up 30.6% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 3,299 firms and 67,098 employees.
Read this one carefully. Commission income, not property sale values.
shops, e-commerce sellers, dealerships
Filed by the Census as Retail Trade (NAICS 44-45). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $436,278 — $329,022 at 10–19 staff, $422,193 at 20–49, and $586,182 at 50–99. That is up 32.2% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 119,404 firms and 2,778,157 employees.
Read this one carefully. Receipts are gross merchandise sales, not margin.
general contractors, builders, home builders
Filed by the Census as Construction (NAICS 23). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $357,160 — $313,738 at 10–19 staff, $362,470 at 20–49, and $398,254 at 50–99. That is up 28% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 125,676 firms and 3,051,596 employees.
Read this one carefully. Value of construction work done, including installed materials — not labour only.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the construction & trades page.
marketing agencies, ad agencies, PR firms
Filed by the Census as Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (NAICS 5418). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $303,578 — $288,980 at 10–19 staff, $302,193 at 20–49, and $319,050 at 50–99. That is up 35.8% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 4,751 firms and 118,812 employees.
Read this one carefully. Commissions and fees only, NOT gross media billings.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the marketing agencies page.
manufacturers, fabricators, job shops
Filed by the Census as Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $286,119 — $230,989 at 10–19 staff, $272,924 at 20–49, and $330,966 at 50–99. That is up 28.1% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 81,049 firms and 2,328,342 employees.
Read this one carefully. Value of shipments, including intra-company transfers at full commercial value — this double-counts along the supply chain.
IT services, MSPs, software development shops, systems integrators
Filed by the Census as Computer Systems Design and Related Services (NAICS 5415). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $280,611 — $278,237 at 10–19 staff, $277,855 at 20–49, and $285,407 at 50–99. That is up 28.4% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 16,122 firms and 439,911 employees.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the managed service providers page.
law firms
Filed by the Census as Legal Services (NAICS 5411). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $250,178 — $234,116 at 10–19 staff, $252,602 at 20–49, and $269,352 at 50–99. That is up 18.3% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 17,813 firms and 405,571 employees.
HVAC contractors, plumbing contractors, electrical contractors
Filed by the Census as Building Equipment Contractors (NAICS 2382). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $245,619 — $220,405 at 10–19 staff, $247,018 at 20–49, and $271,733 at 50–99. That is up 25.9% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 39,289 firms and 957,839 employees.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the HVAC & home services page.
consulting firms, management consultants
Filed by the Census as Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (NAICS 5416). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $244,224 — $252,735 at 10–19 staff, $242,399 at 20–49, and $239,055 at 50–99. That is up 24.6% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 15,373 firms and 381,290 employees.
trucking companies, freight carriers, fleets
Filed by the Census as Truck Transportation (NAICS 484). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $238,709 — $266,073 at 10–19 staff, $241,783 at 20–49, and $212,281 at 50–99. That is up 24.9% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 18,175 firms and 473,846 employees.
the professional services sector as a whole
Filed by the Census as Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (NAICS 54). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $234,289 — $216,794 at 10–19 staff, $233,420 at 20–49, and $254,633 at 50–99. That is up 26.5% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 102,728 firms and 2,476,726 employees.
architecture firms, engineering firms, surveyors
Filed by the Census as Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (NAICS 5413). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $230,150 — $210,894 at 10–19 staff, $230,855 at 20–49, and $246,608 at 50–99. That is up 21.2% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 16,777 firms and 426,847 employees.
insurance agencies, insurance brokers
Filed by the Census as Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (NAICS 5242). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $228,531 — $194,138 at 10–19 staff, $239,001 at 20–49, and $272,812 at 50–99. That is up 21.5% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 9,694 firms and 201,323 employees.
Read this one carefully. Commission and fee income, not premiums written.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the insurance brokerages page.
carriers, 3PLs, warehousing
Filed by the Census as Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 48-49). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $221,309 — $260,903 at 10–19 staff, $231,257 at 20–49, and $185,227 at 50–99. That is up 23.9% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 37,080 firms and 1,012,756 employees.
Read this one carefully. Includes freight, warehousing and courier operations with very different revenue models.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the freight brokerage & 3PL page.
medical practices, physician groups, clinics
Filed by the Census as Offices of Physicians (NAICS 6211). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $213,560 — $198,714 at 10–19 staff, $215,583 at 20–49, and $226,249 at 50–99. That is up 20.3% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 28,314 firms and 697,547 employees.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the medical & dental practices page.
outpatient care, urgent care, home health
Filed by the Census as Ambulatory Health Care Services (NAICS 621). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $148,369 — $146,230 at 10–19 staff, $150,403 at 20–49, and $148,318 at 50–99. That is up 15.2% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 102,865 firms and 2,328,935 employees.
dental practices
Filed by the Census as Offices of Dentists (NAICS 6212). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $146,817 — $142,064 at 10–19 staff, $151,159 at 20–49, and $166,671 at 50–99. That is up 15.5% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 31,234 firms and 519,100 employees.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the medical & dental practices page.
CPA firms, accounting firms, bookkeepers, payroll bureaus
Filed by the Census as Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (NAICS 5412). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $137,766 — $130,808 at 10–19 staff, $140,384 at 20–49, and $144,917 at 50–99. That is up 29.2% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 12,108 firms and 260,216 employees.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the accounting & CPA firms page.
staffing agencies, recruiting firms, temp agencies
Filed by the Census as Employment Services (NAICS 5613). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $118,556 — $172,626 at 10–19 staff, $125,886 at 20–49, and $99,764 at 50–99. That is up 35% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 8,056 firms and 290,789 employees.
Read this one carefully. Gross client billings, while placed temps count as the firm's own employees — which is why this figure is structurally low.
What the repetitive load looks like in this sector, and what we would automate first, is on the staffing & recruiting agencies page.
restaurants, cafes, fast casual, bars serving food
Filed by the Census as Restaurants and Other Eating Places (NAICS 7225). Across firms with 10–99 people, revenue per employee is $68,321 — $73,094 at 10–19 staff, $65,447 at 20–49, and $68,748 at 50–99. That is up 33.3% on the same measure in 2017. Based on 195,053 firms and 4,927,062 employees.
Where the numbers come from
US Census Bureau, Statistics of U.S. Businesses, 2022 Annual Data Tables by Establishment Industry — reference year 2022, released April 2025. This is a near-universe dataset built from the Economic Census and IRS records, not a sample survey.
Each figure is the sum of receipts across the non-overlapping 10–99 employment-size bands, divided by the sum of employment across those same bands. You can reproduce it from the source spreadsheet — sheet “US & states detailed sizes”, filtered to State 00.
Every cell used carries Census noise flag “G”, meaning under 2% noise was applied. The Census uses noise infusion rather than cell suppression, so nothing here is estimated to fill a gap. We validated the totals against a second SUSB file segmented by receipts size instead of employment size; they matched to the dollar.
Excluded from SUSB entirely: crop and animal production, rail transportation, the Postal Service, private households, public administration, and all non-employer businesses. See the methodology and glossary.
The sharpest criticism of this data
For businesses that are out of scope to the Economic Census and operate multiple establishments, the Census estimates receipts using payroll-to-receipts ratios. In those cells, revenue per employee is partly circular with payroll. That is the most legitimate objection to any conclusion drawn from this dataset, and you should know it before quoting the numbers at someone.
Take the table
The whole table, all 21 industries and every band, in a form you can actually use. The underlying figures are US Census Bureau and therefore public domain; what we have added is the selection, the per-employee arithmetic and the caveats.
- CSV — one row per industry, every band as its own column.
- JSON — the same rows plus the method and the four caveats, so the file carries its own warnings.
BreathingRoom. Revenue Per Employee Benchmarks by Industry, derived from Statistics of U.S. Businesses, 2022 Annual Data Tables (reference year 2022). Retrieved from https://www.breathingroom.ai/tools/revenue-per-employee-benchmark
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