General Rental Centers Revenue Benchmarks
The average general rental centers business in the United States generates $1.8M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 2,108 general rental centers businesses in the U.S., employing 17,857 workers with an average profit margin of 20.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $65K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a General Rental Centers Business Actually Do?
General-purpose rental stores renting tools, equipment, and party supplies. Local operators dominate.
Who buys: DIY homeowners, contractors, event planners, small businesses.
Average Revenue
$1.8M
per year
Profit Margin
20.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$208K
per year
Total Businesses
2,108
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$352K
small business avg
Labor Cost
25.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$65K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
0.6
firms per 100K people
How Much Do General Rental Centers Charge?
General equipment rental for parties, tools, and small equipment — party supplies, generators, saws.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Party tent (20x30) | $300–800/day |
Small generator (per day) | $50–150 |
Power tool rental | $25–150/day |
Chairs / tables (per unit/day) | $1–4 per unit |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete general rental centers business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a general rental centers business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the general rental centers industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Property expenses | $8 | $145K | Maintenance, repairs, property taxes, HOA fees, utilities on managed properties. |
Wages & benefits | $25 | $441K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $3 | $48K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $8 | $145K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $36 | $630K | Insurance, legal, financing costs, agent commissions to sub-agents. |
Net profit | $20 | $352K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
8.4%
openings/year
Closure Rate
8.6%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+2.05%
annual
Businesses Closed
176
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a General Rental Centers Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
5 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a general rental centers business do?
- General-purpose rental stores renting tools, equipment, and party supplies. Local operators dominate. DIY homeowners, contractors, event planners, small businesses.
- How much do general rental centers charge?
- General equipment rental for parties, tools, and small equipment — party supplies, generators, saws. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average general rental centers make per year?
- The average general rental centers business generates $1.8M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $352K per year at a 20.0% profit margin.
- How many general rental centers businesses are there in the US?
- There are 2,108 general rental centers businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 17,857 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a general rental centers business?
- Startup costs for a general rental centers business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the general rental centers industry?
- The average employee in the general rental centers industry earns $65K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The general rental centers industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 2.1% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (8.4% entry vs 8.6% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 64% of general rental centers businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 176 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the general rental centers industry earns $65,415/year. This is near the national average of ~$65K. With 3,719 establishments employing 32,170 people, the typical business has about 9 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The general rental centers industry has declined 46% since 2000 (from 3,403 to 1,845 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare General Rental Centers revenue with other industries: