2025-07-01
Where Owners Profit Most: Biggest Gap Between Revenue and Wages
In these industries, revenue per employee far exceeds what workers are paid — meaning more goes to owners and overhead.
The gap between revenue per employee and average wages reveals where business owners capture the most value. A high ratio means the business generates far more per worker than it pays them — the difference goes to profit, rent, materials, and owner compensation.
Highest Revenue-to-Wage Ratio
1. Used Car Dealers$698,821 rev/employee vs $60,100 avg wage (11.6x)
2. New Car Dealers$966,379 rev/employee vs $83,658 avg wage (11.6x)
3. Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers$1,333,025 rev/employee vs $127,432 avg wage (10.5x)
4. Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers$614,442 rev/employee vs $76,975 avg wage (8.0x)
5. Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers$1,014,108 rev/employee vs $127,436 avg wage (8.0x)
6. Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers$584,083 rev/employee vs $73,740 avg wage (7.9x)
7. Recreational Vehicle Dealers$536,358 rev/employee vs $67,975 avg wage (7.9x)
8. Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers$395,643 rev/employee vs $50,487 avg wage (7.8x)
9. Household Appliances, Electric Housewares, and Consumer Electronics Merchant Wholesalers$843,006 rev/employee vs $107,734 avg wage (7.8x)
10. Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers$668,733 rev/employee vs $85,910 avg wage (7.8x)
11. Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers$593,549 rev/employee vs $77,021 avg wage (7.7x)
12. Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers$531,408 rev/employee vs $70,667 avg wage (7.5x)
Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (2021), Census Business Dynamics Statistics (2023), Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW (2023), IRS Statistics of Income. Revenue figures are estimated from payroll data using industry-specific ratios.