Professional Organizations Revenue Benchmarks
The average professional organizations business in the United States generates $3.2M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 6,226 professional organizations businesses in the U.S., employing 81,829 workers with an average profit margin of 8.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $105K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Professional Organizations Business Actually Do?
Professional associations by discipline — American Medical Association, American Bar Association, IEEE, AICPA. Provide credentialing, continuing education, advocacy.
Who buys: Individual professionals via membership dues, certification fees, conference attendance.
Average Revenue
$3.2M
per year
Profit Margin
8.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$246K
per year
Total Businesses
6,226
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$259K
small business avg
Labor Cost
38.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$105K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
1.9
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Professional Organizations Charge?
Professional associations (bar, medical, engineering) charge annual dues plus certification fees.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Annual professional dues | $100–1,500/year |
Certification exam fee | $300–2,000 |
Continuing education course | $100–2,500 |
Annual conference registration | $500–3,500 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete professional organizations business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a professional organizations 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 professional organizations 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Supplies & materials | $16 | $524K | Direct consumables — parts for repair shops, chemicals for laundries, etc. |
Wages & benefits | $38 | $1.2M | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $11 | $349K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $5 | $175K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $22 | $699K | Insurance, licensing, tools, uniforms, small equipment. |
Net profit | $8 | $259K | 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
5.16%
openings/year
Closure Rate
6.41%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+1.56%
annual
Businesses Closed
2,699
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Professional Organizations Business?
Startup Cost
$30K – $150K
Break-Even
4 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a professional organizations business do?
- Professional associations by discipline — American Medical Association, American Bar Association, IEEE, AICPA. Provide credentialing, continuing education, advocacy. Individual professionals via membership dues, certification fees, conference attendance.
- How much do professional organizations charge?
- Professional associations (bar, medical, engineering) charge annual dues plus certification fees. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average professional organizations make per year?
- The average professional organizations business generates $3.2M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $259K per year at a 8.0% profit margin.
- How many professional organizations businesses are there in the US?
- There are 6,226 professional organizations businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 81,829 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a professional organizations business?
- Startup costs for a professional organizations business typically range from $30K to $150K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the professional organizations industry?
- The average employee in the professional organizations industry earns $105K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The professional organizations industry is relatively stable — with a net job growth rate of 1.6%. Entry and exit rates are balanced at 5.2% and 6.4% respectively.
Approximately 72% of professional organizations businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 2,699 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the professional organizations industry earns $105,061/year. This is significantly above the national average of ~$65K, reflecting the skilled nature of this work. With 11,660 establishments employing 87,753 people, the typical business has about 8 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The professional organizations industry has declined 21% since 2000 (from 61,974 to 48,661 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Professional Organizations revenue with other industries: