36.2 million
Small businesses in the U.S., 99.9% of all firms.
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profile / FAQ 2026Last verified November 2026
Evidence, not hype
The research behind Rookie Runway
The numbers that shape our field guides. Every figure has a source you can read for yourself.
Small business in America
82.3%
Of small businesses (29.8 million) have no employees: most owners start solo.
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy FAQ 2026 (2022 data)Last verified November 2026
45.9%
Of private-sector workers (62.3 million) are employed by small businesses.
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy FAQ 2026Last verified November 2026
61%
Of net new jobs since 1995 were created by small businesses.
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy FAQ 2026Last verified November 2026
Survival
49.2%
Of new employer establishments survive five years; 33.9% survive ten (1994 to 2022 averages).
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy FAQ 2026, from BLS Business Employment DynamicsLast verified November 2026
Formation
5.64 million
New business applications were filed in 2025, a record.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Business Formation Statistics via FREDLast verified November 2026
By profession
$8,100
Median gross income in 2024 for NAR members with two years or less experience, versus $58,100 for all members.
Source: NAR 2025 Member ProfileLast verified November 2026
42.2%
Share of physicians in private practice in 2024, down from 60.1% in 2012.
Source: AMA Physician Practice Benchmark SurveyLast verified November 2026
73%
Dentist practice ownership in 2021, down from 85% in 2005. Solo practice went from about 2 in 3 dentists in 1999 to 1 in 2 in 2019.
Source: ADA Health Policy InstituteLast verified November 2026
1.37 million
Lawyers in the U.S. in 2025.
Source: ABA Profile of the Legal Profession 2025Last verified November 2026
80%
Of barbers are self-employed; 48% of hairstylists and cosmetologists are (2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
9%
Projected growth in electrician jobs from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average. 7% of electricians are self-employed (2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
36%
Of massage therapists are self-employed (155,400 jobs, 2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
8%
Of plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are self-employed; jobs projected to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
36%
Of chiropractors are self-employed (61,700 jobs, 2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
9%
Projected growth in veterinarian jobs from 2025 to 2035; 7% of veterinarians are self-employed (2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
14%
Of architects are self-employed (124,600 jobs, 2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
14%
Of management analysts and consultants are self-employed; jobs projected to grow 10% from 2025 to 2035 (about 1.1 million jobs in 2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
20%
Of grounds maintenance and landscaping workers are self-employed (about 1.3 million jobs, 2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
$76,690
Median annual pay for loan officers in May 2025 (about 283,000 jobs).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook HandbookLast verified November 2026
Executive cost
$105,770 / $213,990
A full-time general and operations manager earns a median $105,770 a year; chief executives $213,990 (May 2025).
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Top ExecutivesLast verified November 2026
By state
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 State Small Business Profile. Ohio retains the published rounded count.
Methodology
We use federal and professional-association sources and link every figure. Reporting periods are included where they differ from publication dates. Small businesses, employer establishments and professional association members are different populations. Survival figures are historical averages, not a forecast for your business. Figures reflect the reporting periods shown in their sources.