Business owner demographics research summary. Zippia estimates business owner demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our business owner estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about business owners after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 783,183 business owners currently employed in the United States.
- 48.6% of all business owners are women, while 51.4% are men.
- The average business owner age is 44 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of business owners is White (67.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (15.5%), Asian (6.4%) and Black or African American (6.3%).
- Business owners are most in-demand in Memphis, TN.
- The retail industry is the highest-paying for business owners.
- Seattle, WA pays an annual average wage of $121,623, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women business owners earned 86% of what men earned.
- 10% of all business owners are LGBT.
- Washington is the best state for business owners to live.
- Business owners are 78% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On This Page
Business Owner demographics by:
Business Owner gender statistics
48.6% of business owners are women and 51.4% of business owners are men.
- Male, 51.4%
- Female, 48.6%
Business Owner gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 51.4% |
| Female | 48.6% |
Business Owner gender pay gap
Women earn 86¢ for every $1 earned by men
![Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw== "Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (1)")
Male Income
$53,813
Female Income
$46,257
Business Owner gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in business owner positions over time. Currently, 48.6% of business owners are female.
Male
Female
100
%
80
%
60
%
40
%
20
%
%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Business Owner gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 57.53% | 42.47% |
| 2011 | 56.81% | 43.19% |
| 2012 | 55.94% | 44.06% |
| 2013 | 56.51% | 43.49% |
| 2014 | 58.46% | 41.54% |
| 2015 | 57.08% | 42.92% |
| 2016 | 58.04% | 41.96% |
| 2017 | 55.24% | 44.76% |
| 2018 | 55.15% | 44.85% |
| 2019 | 53.06% | 46.94% |
| 2020 | 53.18% | 46.82% |
| 2021 | 51.37% | 48.63% |
Business Owner related jobs gender ratio
We compared business owners with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, district commercial superintendent and street superintendent have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Assistant To General Manager | 9% | 91% |
| Manager Stylist | 9% | 91% |
| Salon Manager | 12% | 88% |
| Business Owner | 51% | 49% |
| General Superintendent | 97% | 3% |
| Street Superintendent | 97% | 3% |
| District Commercial Superintendent | 98% | 2% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Business Owner demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among business owners is White, which makes up 67.0% of all business owners. Comparatively, 15.5% of business owners are Hispanic or Latino and 6.4% of business owners are Asian.
- White, 67.0%
- Hispanic or Latino, 15.5%
- Asian, 6.4%
- Black or African American, 6.3%
- Unknown, 4.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
Business Owner Race
| Business Owner Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 67.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15.5% |
| Asian | 6.4% |
| Black or African American | 6.3% |
| Unknown | 4.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.5% |
Business Owner race and ethnicity over time
See how business owner racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Business Owner race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 74.69% | 6.37% | 5.33% | 11.31% |
| 2011 | 74.53% | 6.53% | 5.35% | 11.02% |
| 2012 | 74.18% | 6.10% | 5.49% | 12.10% |
| 2013 | 74.69% | 5.92% | 5.53% | 11.46% |
| 2014 | 73.58% | 5.89% | 5.42% | 12.82% |
| 2015 | 73.60% | 5.96% | 5.36% | 12.74% |
| 2016 | 71.27% | 6.47% | 5.81% | 13.95% |
| 2017 | 72.62% | 5.95% | 5.55% | 13.45% |
| 2018 | 72.19% | 5.72% | 6.13% | 13.32% |
| 2019 | 70.80% | 6.00% | 6.17% | 14.39% |
| 2020 | 69.05% | 6.03% | 5.81% | 14.28% |
| 2021 | 66.99% | 6.27% | 6.44% | 15.48% |
Business Owner wage gap by race
According to our data, asian business owners have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american business owners have the lowest average salary at $50,539.
$59,000
$57,000
$55,000
$53,000
$51,000
$49,000
Unknown
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $52,690 |
| White | $55,549 |
| Black or African American | $50,539 |
| Asian | $56,808 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $53,705 |
Average business owner age
See how the average age of business owners varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Business Owner age by race and gender
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 42 | 45 |
| Unknown | 42 | 41 |
| Asian | 43 | 41 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 42 | 40 |
| White | 45 | 44 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 43 | 44 |
Business Owner age breakdown
The average age of business owners is 40+ years years old, representing 64% of the business owner population.
Business Owner age breakdown
| Business Owner Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 64% |
| 30-40 years | 30% |
| 20-30 years | 6% |
Business Owner educational attainment
The most common degree for business owners is bachelor's degree, with 52% of business owners earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 21% and associate degree degree at 10%.
- Bachelor's, 52%
- Associate, 21%
- High School Diploma, 10%
- Master's, 9%
- Other Degrees, 8%
Business Owners by degree level
| Business Owner Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 52% |
| Associate | 21% |
| High School Diploma | 10% |
| Master's | 9% |
| Other Degrees | 8% |
Business Owner Jobs You Might Like
Business Owner wage gap by degree level
According to the data, business owners with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $73,941 annually. With a Doctorate degree, business owners earn a median annual income of $70,031 compared to $59,594 for business owners with an Bachelor's degree.
$75,000
$69,000
$63,000
$57,000
$51,000
$45,000
$39,000
Master's Degree
High School Diploma or Less
Bachelor's Degree
Doctorate Degree
Some College/ Associate Degree
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $73,941 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $44,395 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,594 |
| Doctorate Degree | $70,031 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $46,387 |
Business Owner employment statistics
Most business owners work for a private in the retail industry.
Company size where business owners work
Below, you can see the size of companies where business owners work.
< 50 employees
50 - 100 employees
100 - 500 employees
500 - 1,000 employees
1,000 - 10,000 employees
> 10,000
Business Owner jobs by employer size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 12% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 24% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 25% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 6% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 18% |
| > 10,000 employees | 15% |
Business Owner jobs by company type
Employees with the business owner job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most business owners prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Education
Public
Private
Government
Business Owner jobs by sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 2% |
| Public | 16% |
| Private | 78% |
| Government | 3% |
Business Owner jobs by industry
The most common industries for business owners are retail, professional and manufacturing.
Retail
Manufacturing
Professional
Technology
Fortune 500
Show More
Business Owner industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Retail | 15% |
| Manufacturing | 10% |
| Professional | 10% |
| Technology | 8% |
| Fortune 500 | 8% |
| Health Care | 7% |
| Media | 5% |
| Finance | 5% |
| Hospitality | 5% |
| Start-up | 5% |
| Transportation | 3% |
| Government | 3% |
| Construction | 3% |
| Real Estate | 3% |
| Internet | 2% |
| Telecommunication | 2% |
| Education | 2% |
| Insurance | 2% |
| Automotive | 1% |
| Utilities | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Agriculture | 1% |
Business Owner turnover and employment statistics
Business Owner unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for business owners between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Unemployment rate
Business Owner unemployment rate by year
| Year | Business Owner Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6.02% |
| 2011 | 5.17% |
| 2012 | 4.50% |
| 2013 | 3.74% |
| 2014 | 3.19% |
| 2015 | 2.83% |
| 2016 | 2.57% |
| 2017 | 2.68% |
| 2018 | 2.15% |
| 2019 | 2.22% |
| 2020 | 3.68% |
| 2021 | 4.01% |
Average business owner tenure
The average business owner stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 35,646 business owners resumes in Zippia's database.
Less than one year
1-2 years
3-4 years
5-7 years
8-10 years
11+ years
Business Owner tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 4% |
| 1-2 years | 19% |
| 3-4 years | 16% |
| 5-7 years | 21% |
| 8-10 years | 10% |
| 11+ years | 29% |
Business Owner LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of business owners that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Manager Of Environmental Services | 7.93% | 92,312 |
| Lead Project Coordinator | 8.41% | 58,742 |
| Corporate Sales Manager | 9.38% | 119,633 |
| Business Owner | 10.39% | - |
| Police Commissioner | 11.63% | 2,228 |
| Payroll/Human Resource Manager | 13.02% | 48,899 |
| Promotion Manager | 14.95% | 8,515 |
Similar business owner jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Manager Of Environmental Services | 7.93% | 92,312 |
| Lead Project Coordinator | 8.41% | 58,742 |
| Corporate Sales Manager | 9.38% | 119,633 |
| Police Commissioner | 11.63% | 2,228 |
| Payroll/Human Resource Manager | 13.02% | 48,899 |
| Promotion Manager | 14.95% | 8,515 |
Foreign languages spoken by business owners
The most common foreign language among business owners is Spanish at 54.3%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 9.2% and German is the third-most popular at 4.8%.
- Spanish, 54.3%
- French, 9.2%
- German, 4.8%
- Arabic, 4.3%
- Portuguese, 3.8%
- Other, 23.6%
Business Owner languages spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 54.3% |
| French | 9.2% |
| German | 4.8% |
| Arabic | 4.3% |
| Portuguese | 3.8% |
| Other | 23.6% |
Business Owner Jobs
Business Owner location demographics
The amount you can make as a business owner can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of business owners is $58,748. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.
Where do business owners earn the most?
Business owners earn the most in Washington, where the average business owner salary is $120,339. The map here shows where business owners earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Average Salary
![Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (5)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/salary-maps/2.4.8/business-owner.svgz "Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (5)")
Which city has the most Business Owners?
By looking through more than 35,646 resumes, we found that the most popular places for business owners are New York, NY and Houston, TX.
Number of Business Owners
![Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (6)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/demographics-maps/2.4.4/resume-business-owner.svgz "Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (6)")
Business Owner jobs by state
| Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 6,237 | $60,144 |
| 2 | North Carolina | 4,288 | $61,219 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 4,194 | $92,646 |
| 4 | California | 4,118 | $102,886 |
| 5 | Michigan | 3,359 | $82,706 |
| 6 | Ohio | 3,230 | $77,448 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 2,874 | $88,999 |
| 8 | Georgia | 2,815 | $50,596 |
| 9 | Illinois | 2,789 | $82,107 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 2,751 | $54,976 |
| 11 | Virginia | 2,647 | $83,950 |
| 12 | Indiana | 2,328 | $67,811 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 2,248 | $91,688 |
| 14 | New York | 2,170 | $109,284 |
| 15 | South Carolina | 1,968 | $48,507 |
| 16 | Washington | 1,712 | $120,339 |
| 17 | Missouri | 1,539 | $60,703 |
| 18 | Oregon | 1,224 | $92,421 |
| 19 | Florida | 1,223 | $42,325 |
| 20 | Kentucky | 1,163 | $50,471 |
| 21 | Utah | 1,143 | $71,018 |
| 22 | Colorado | 1,115 | $97,650 |
| 23 | Maryland | 1,091 | $87,549 |
| 24 | New Mexico | 1,000 | $66,190 |
| 25 | Alabama | 977 | $53,328 |
| 26 | Kansas | 961 | $59,837 |
| 27 | Arkansas | 960 | $46,965 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | 832 | $55,202 |
| 29 | West Virginia | 813 | $58,739 |
| 30 | Louisiana | 789 | $53,597 |
| 31 | Arizona | 760 | $74,532 |
| 32 | Mississippi | 601 | $40,281 |
| 33 | Massachusetts | 511 | $86,852 |
| 34 | Nevada | 460 | $81,892 |
| 35 | Iowa | 445 | $68,210 |
| 36 | New Jersey | 368 | $110,331 |
| 37 | Nebraska | 312 | $69,255 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | 303 | $86,006 |
| 39 | Wyoming | 300 | $74,104 |
| 40 | Maine | 261 | $77,525 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | 245 | $97,770 |
| 42 | Connecticut | 242 | $99,694 |
| 43 | Montana | 206 | $79,535 |
| 44 | Vermont | 187 | $67,008 |
| 45 | Delaware | 182 | $96,002 |
| 46 | South Dakota | 155 | $94,551 |
| 47 | Alaska | 127 | $75,597 |
| 48 | Hawaii | 120 | $53,573 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | 117 | $100,871 |
| 50 | North Dakota | 62 | $75,903 |
| 51 | Idaho | 49 | $73,981 |
Where are business owners in high demand?
Business owners are in high demand in Memphis, TN. There are currently 13 job openings for business owners here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country business owners are in the most demand.
Jobs Openings
![Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (7)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/demographics-maps/2.4.4/listing-business-owner.svgz "Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (7)")
Business Owner Demographics FAQs
How many Business Owner are there in the US?
What percentage of Business Owners are black?
What race are most Business Owners?
Are Business Owner jobs male - dominated?
How old is the average Business Owner?
Have more questions?
See all answers to common executive management questions.Search for business owner jobs
Related Jobs Demographics
- Assistant Business Manager Demographics
- Business Development Officer Demographics
- Business Director Demographics
- Business Leader Demographics
- Business Manager Demographics
- Business Operations Manager Demographics
- Business Partner Demographics
- Business Unit Manager Demographics
- Co-Owner/Operator Demographics
- Director Of Business Operations Demographics
- Entrepreneur Demographics
- General Manager/Partner Demographics
- Manager Of Business Services Demographics
- Manager/Partner Demographics
- Managing Owner Demographics
Business Owner Related Hirings
- How To Hire An Assistant Business Manager
- How To Hire A Business Development Officer
- How To Hire A Business Director
- How To Hire A Business Leader
- How To Hire A Business Manager
- How To Hire A Business Operations Manager
- How To Hire A Business Partner
- How To Hire A Business Unit Manager
- How To Hire A Co-Owner/Operator
- How To Hire A Director Of Business Operations
- How To Hire An Entrepreneur
- How To Hire A General Manager/Partner
- How To Hire A Manager Of Business Services
- How To Hire A Manager/Partner
- How To Hire A Managing Owner
Business Owner Related Jobs
- Assistant Business Manager Jobs Near Me
- Business Development Officer Jobs Near Me
- Business Director Jobs Near Me
- Business Leader Jobs Near Me
- Business Manager Jobs Near Me
- Business Operations Manager Jobs Near Me
- Business Partner Jobs Near Me
- Business Unit Manager Jobs Near Me
- Co-Owner/Operator Jobs Near Me
- Director Of Business Operations Jobs Near Me
- Entrepreneur Jobs Near Me
- General Manager/Partner Jobs Near Me
- Manager Of Business Services Jobs Near Me
- Manager/Partner Jobs Near Me
- Managing Owner Jobs Near Me
Business Owner Jobs By Location
- Badger, AK Business Owner Jobs
- Boise, ID Business Owner Jobs
- Carrollton, TX Business Owner Jobs
- East Honolulu, HI Business Owner Jobs
- Hialeah, FL Business Owner Jobs
- Hutto, TX Business Owner Jobs
- Jefferson City, MO Business Owner Jobs
- Justice, IL Business Owner Jobs
- Nashville, TN Business Owner Jobs
- Newark, NJ Business Owner Jobs
- Raleigh, NC Business Owner Jobs
- Ramsey, MN Business Owner Jobs
- Robbinsdale, MN Business Owner Jobs
- Savannah, GA Business Owner Jobs
- Smyrna, TN Business Owner Jobs
- Zippia Careers
- Executive Management Industry
- Business Owner
- Business Owner Demographics
Updated July 21, 2023
![Business Owner Demographics and Statistics [2024]: Number Of Business Owners In The US (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)