{
  "name": "Seattle Gym Profit Margin Benchmarks",
  "description": "Gross margin, net margin, cost-share, labor, and market-size benchmarks for independent gyms in Seattle, Washington. Ranges are planning benchmarks for owner-operated businesses, not forecasts.",
  "version": "2026 city benchmark edition",
  "city": "Seattle",
  "state": "Washington",
  "industry": "Gym",
  "reviewStatus": "screening",
  "coverage": "Independent gym operators in Seattle, Washington; 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/seattle/",
  "citation": "HustleFin (2026). Seattle Gym Profit Margin Benchmarks. Retrieved from https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/gym/city/seattle/",
  "metrics": [
    {
      "key": "gross_margin_pct",
      "label": "Gross margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 56,
      "average": 69,
      "high": 82
    },
    {
      "key": "net_margin_pct",
      "label": "Net margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 4,
      "average": 12,
      "high": 16
    },
    {
      "key": "staff_cost_pct",
      "label": "Staff cost (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 28,
      "average": 33,
      "high": 39
    },
    {
      "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": "$280,000 – $2,000,000/year for independent Seattle gyms & studios"
    }
  ],
  "labor": {
    "minimumWage": "$20.76/hr (Seattle city, no tip credit)",
    "stateMinimumWage": "$16.66/hr (Washington state, 2025)",
    "note": "Highest major-city minimum wage in the U.S. — sets the floor for front-desk, class-instructor, and junior-trainer pay. Plus B&O gross-receipts tax (~1.5% services) on membership dues."
  },
  "market": [
    {
      "label": "Estimated gyms",
      "value": 1000
    },
    {
      "label": "Commercial rent range",
      "value": "$22–42/sqft (Capitol Hill/Ballard), $18–26/sqft (Georgetown/Columbia City)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Sales tax (general)",
      "value": "~10.35% combined (applies to supplement/apparel retail sales)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Special fees",
      "value": "WA B&O tax ~1.5% on membership/service gross receipts; Seattle business license"
    }
  ],
  "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": "Washington State Department of Revenue",
      "url": "https://dor.wa.gov/",
      "note": "State and local sales tax rates and B&O tax guidance."
    },
    {
      "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 Seattle",
      "url": "https://www.seattle.gov/",
      "note": "City labor standards, licensing, and local fees."
    }
  ]
}