Number of Professional Employer Organizations Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
26,532
professional employer organizations businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The professional employer organizations industry has grown 0.5% since 2000 (from 26,403 to 26,532 firms).
- •The peak year was 2007 with 27,751 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is growing (+8.0%).
- •Employment: 6,230,890 workers in 2023 (39.2% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 48%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26,532 | 51,256 | 6,230,890 | 13.0% | 13.7% | -3.9% |
| 2022 | 26,194 | 51,626 | 6,497,917 | 11.9% | 14.4% | +9.5% |
| 2021 | 25,021 | 52,953 | 6,061,263 | 16.5% | 9.9% | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 24,420 | 49,261 | 5,994,277 | 9.1% | 9.5% | -2.1% |
| 2019 | 24,575 | 49,478 | 6,094,205 | 10.0% | 9.0% | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 24,417 | 48,994 | 5,991,855 | 9.2% | 8.9% | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 24,382 | 48,890 | 5,816,736 | 9.5% | 9.0% | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 24,333 | 48,358 | 5,732,135 | 11.3% | 8.9% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 24,137 | 47,098 | 5,588,897 | 16.7% | 11.2% | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 24,048 | 44,648 | 5,202,352 | 11.6% | 11.2% | +4.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.