{
  "name": "Chicago Gym Profit Margin Benchmarks",
  "description": "Gross margin, net margin, cost-share, labor, and market-size benchmarks for independent gyms in Chicago, Illinois. Ranges are planning benchmarks for owner-operated businesses, not forecasts.",
  "version": "2026 city benchmark edition",
  "city": "Chicago",
  "state": "Illinois",
  "industry": "Gym",
  "reviewStatus": "screening",
  "coverage": "Independent gym operators in Chicago, Illinois; national chains, franchise groups, and multi-unit operators excluded unless noted",
  "dataCompiledAt": "June 23, 2026",
  "sourcesVerifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "sourcePage": "https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/gym/city/chicago/",
  "citation": "HustleFin (2026). Chicago Gym Profit Margin Benchmarks. Retrieved from https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/gym/city/chicago/",
  "metrics": [
    {
      "key": "gross_margin_pct",
      "label": "Gross margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 55,
      "average": 70,
      "high": 83
    },
    {
      "key": "net_margin_pct",
      "label": "Net margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 5,
      "average": 12,
      "high": 17
    },
    {
      "key": "staff_cost_pct",
      "label": "Staff cost (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 24,
      "average": 30,
      "high": 35
    },
    {
      "key": "rent_cost_pct",
      "label": "Rent (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 16,
      "average": 20,
      "high": 24
    },
    {
      "key": "typical_revenue",
      "label": "Typical revenue",
      "unit": "text",
      "value": "$220,000 – $2,000,000/year for independent Chicago gyms & studios"
    }
  ],
  "labor": {
    "minimumWage": "$16.20/hr (Chicago city)",
    "stateMinimumWage": "$15.00/hr (Illinois state, 2025)",
    "note": "City wage indexed annually — sets the front-desk and junior-trainer pay floor. Illinois flat 4.95% income tax on owner profit."
  },
  "market": [
    {
      "label": "Estimated gyms",
      "value": 1800
    },
    {
      "label": "Commercial rent range",
      "value": "$25–40/sqft (River North/West Loop/Wicker Park), $18–25/sqft (neighborhood)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Sales tax (general)",
      "value": "10.25% — highest among major U.S. metros (on supplement/apparel retail sales)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Special fees",
      "value": "Illinois flat 4.95% income tax on owner profit"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label": "BLS OEWS — Fitness Trainers & Instructors (39-9031)",
      "url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes399031.htm",
      "note": "Occupation-level wage estimates for fitness trainers and instructors."
    },
    {
      "label": "Illinois Department of Revenue",
      "url": "https://tax.illinois.gov/",
      "note": "State sales tax, home-rule, and restaurant-specific tax treatment."
    },
    {
      "label": "U.S. Census Bureau",
      "url": "https://www.census.gov/",
      "note": "Federal statistical baseline for population, business counts, and local market size."
    },
    {
      "label": "Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA)",
      "url": "https://www.healthandfitness.org/",
      "note": "Publisher of the annual Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report covering club revenue, retention, and profitability ratios."
    },
    {
      "label": "City of Chicago",
      "url": "https://www.chicago.gov/",
      "note": "City business affairs and licensing, plus restaurant-specific taxes."
    }
  ]
}