Spa Industry Statistics From 2,260 Real Spas (2024)
When it comes to understanding the spa industry, most reports online present broad, generalized statistics. But in this post, we’re doing something different. We’ve gathered real, verified data from over 2,260 spas across the U.S., providing a detailed look into key industry statistics like market size, turnover, profitability, customers, average spend and more.
This isn’t just another list of industry averages—it’s an in-depth analysis of actual results from spas nationwide. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or spa owner, this post offers actionable insights drawn from real-world data to help guide your decisions.
We’ll dive into the following sub-topics:
- Key Industry Stats
- Industry Size & Growth
- 2,260 Spa Stats: Revenue, Costs & Profits
- Customer Stats
- Latest Industry Trends
Key Spa Industry Stats
- The US beauty salon market is projected to reach $21.3 billion in 2023, growing at +11.3% CAGR over 2024-28
- There are about 21,510 licensed beauty salons, spas, and barber shops in the U.S. as of 2023
- The average beauty salon in the US made $851,000 in yearly revenue
- The average beauty salon in the US required a startup capital of $1,788,500
- The average beauty salon in the US had a 15.6% operating profit margin
- Spa visits in the U.S. totaled 182 million in 2023
Spa Industry Size
The global spa market size in 2023 is valued at $161.6 billion
The global spa industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2%, driven by the increasing emphasis on wellness and self-care. (Source)
The U.S. spa industry generated $21.3 billion in revenue in 2023
This growth is reflective of the rising demand for holistic health and wellness services in the U.S., with the industry expanding consistently year over year. (Source)
The U.S. spa industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of +11.3% over 2024-2030
This growth is driven by an increasing emphasis on holistic health and wellness services, as more Americans seek out relaxation and self-care treatments. (Source)
The U.S. spa market will grow by $48.3 billion between 2024 and 2028
The U.S. spa market will experience significant growth, driven by a rise in demand for facial, body, and hair treatments, along with wellness tourism. (Source)
2,260 Spa Stats: Revenue, Costs & Profits
There were 21,510 spas in the U.S. in 2023
The U.S. spa industry continues to grow, with over 21,500 spa locations providing a wide range of wellness services, from massage therapy to skincare treatments. (Source)
The average massage and spa business made $851,000 in revenue in 2023
Massage and spa businesses reported higher average revenues compared to other segments within the beauty industry, such as full-service beauty salons which earned $443,000 instead.
The profitability of the massage and spa segment demonstrates its strong position in the wellness market, with increasing consumer demand for relaxation and therapeutic services.
Note: This data is based on 9,850 franchised beauty salon financial stats, including 2,260 massage and spa franchised businesses, providing a useful benchmark for independent spas.
| Sub Industry | Revenue (AUV) |
|---|---|
| Massage & Spa | $851,000 |
| Full-service beauty salon | $443,000 |
| Weight Loss | $358,000 |
| Waxing | $554,000 |
| Nail, Skin, eyelash | $571,000 |
| Hair salon | $343,000 |
It costs on average $1,788,500 to start a massage and spa business in 2023
Starting a massage and spa business involves one of the highest investment requirements in the beauty industry.
The average startup cost of $1,788,500 is significantly higher than other beauty services, such as waxing or nail salons, which have average costs of $535,500 and $646,000 respectively.
This reflects the need for specialized equipment and facilities to provide spa and therapeutic services.
| Sub Industry | Investment (Low) | Investment (High) | Investment (Average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage & Spa | $367,000 | $3,210,000 | $1,788,500 |
| Full-service beauty salon | $182,000 | $2,242,000 | $1,406,000 |
| Weight Loss | $45,000 | $1,363,000 | $704,000 |
| Waxing | $62,000 | $1,009,000 | $535,500 |
| Nail, Skin, eyelash | $61,000 | $1,231,000 | $646,000 |
| Hair salon | $100,000 | $870,000 | $318,000 |
The average massage and spa business had a 15.6% operating profit margin in 2023
Massage and spa businesses recorded an EBITDA of 15.6%, indicating strong profitability, though lower than full-service beauty salons which achieved a 34.9% EBITDA.
Other segments like nail, skin, and eyelash services had a higher gross profit margin of 88.9% but lower operating profits, demonstrating the varied profitability across different beauty services.
| Sub Industry | Gross margin | EBITDA margin |
|---|---|---|
| Massage & Spa | 77.0% | 15.6% |
| Full-service Beauty salon | n.a. | 34.9% |
| Weight Loss | 72.1% | 21.3% |
| Waxing | 63.0% | 19.4% |
| Other Beauty | 80.3% | 22.4% |
| Nail, Skin, eyelash | 88.9% | 15.2% |
| Hair salon | 98.1% | 16.3% |
Spas Customers Stats
Spa visits in the U.S. totaled 182 million in 2023
U.S. consumers made 182 million spa visits, up by 1 million compared to the previous year, showing consistent consumer interest in spa services. (Source)
Average spend per spa visit in the U.S. was $117.2 in 2023
Spa customers spent an average of $117.20 per visit, reflecting a 5.1% increase from 2022. This rise in spending highlights the growing demand for spa services across the country. (Source)
Latest Industry Trends
The global medical spa market is expected to reach $29.5 billion by 2030
Medical spas are rapidly gaining popularity due to their unique combination of medical expertise and spa-like experiences, offering treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, and laser procedures. The global medical spa market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% from 2021 to 2030. (Source)
49% of spa customers in the U.S. are male
There is a growing trend of men embracing spa services, from grooming to relaxation therapies. As more men prioritize self-care, spas are expanding their services to cater to male clients, contributing to this rising demographic in the industry. (Source)
80% of U.S. spa-goers prioritize mental wellness and stress relief
With increased awareness of mental health, spa customers are looking for treatments that not only provide physical relaxation but also enhance mental well-being. This shift has led to an emphasis on mindfulness and stress-relief therapies in spa offerings. (Source)
50% of U.S. spa customers prefer online booking systems
Technology is revolutionizing the spa industry with digital booking platforms and virtual consultations. This enhances customer convenience and meets the growing demand for tech-driven solutions in personal care services. (Source)
65% of spa clients in the U.S. prefer eco-friendly practices
Environmental consciousness is growing, and many spa-goers now seek facilities that use eco-friendly products and sustainable practices, leading spas to adopt greener operational standards. (Source)
70% of spa customers value personalized treatments
Personalized treatments tailored to individual needs are a key factor in customer retention. Spas offering customized services, from skincare regimens to wellness plans, are seeing higher satisfaction and loyalty rates among their clients. (Source)
