Language Schools Revenue Benchmarks
The average language schools business in the United States generates $897K in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 1,356 language schools businesses in the U.S., employing 17,395 workers with an average profit margin of 10.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $30K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Language Schools Business Actually Do?
Language instruction — ESL for immigrants and international students, foreign language for English speakers, immersion programs.
Who buys: Immigrants, students, corporate learners, tourists preparing to travel.
Average Revenue
$897K
per year
Profit Margin
10.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$70K
per year
Total Businesses
1,356
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$90K
small business avg
Labor Cost
55.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$30K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
0.4
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Language Schools Charge?
Language schools charge per lesson, per course, or per program. Include ESL, foreign language, immersion.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Group class (per session) | $20–50 |
Private lesson (per hour) | $50–150 |
Full course (12 weeks) | $300–1,500 |
Immersion program (1–4 weeks) | $1,500–8,000 |
ESL semester (accredited) | $3,000–8,000 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete language schools business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a language schools 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 language schools 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Curriculum & supplies | $3 | $31K | Textbooks, learning software, teaching aids, technology for students. |
Wages & benefits | $55 | $493K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $9 | $78K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $3 | $31K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $19 | $173K | Insurance, licensing, IT, admin, professional development. |
Net profit | $10 | $90K | 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
12.49%
openings/year
Closure Rate
9.12%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+9.23%
annual
Businesses Closed
3,945
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Language Schools Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
20 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a language schools business do?
- Language instruction — ESL for immigrants and international students, foreign language for English speakers, immersion programs. Immigrants, students, corporate learners, tourists preparing to travel.
- How much do language schools charge?
- Language schools charge per lesson, per course, or per program. Include ESL, foreign language, immersion. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average language schools make per year?
- The average language schools business generates $897K in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $90K per year at a 10.0% profit margin.
- How many language schools businesses are there in the US?
- There are 1,356 language schools businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 17,395 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a language schools business?
- Startup costs for a language schools business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the language schools industry?
- The average employee in the language schools industry earns $30K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The language schools industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 9.2% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (12.5% entry vs 9.1% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 62% of language schools businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 3,945 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the language schools industry earns $30,212/year. This is below the national average of ~$65K — typical for this sector. With 2,066 establishments employing 16,811 people, the typical business has about 8 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The language schools industry has grown 128% since 2000 (from 21,175 to 48,361 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Language Schools revenue with other industries: