{
  "name": "Chicago Hair salon Profit Margin Benchmarks",
  "description": "Gross margin, net margin, cost-share, labor, and market-size benchmarks for independent hair salons in Chicago, Illinois. Ranges are planning benchmarks for owner-operated businesses, not forecasts.",
  "version": "2026 city benchmark edition",
  "city": "Chicago",
  "state": "Illinois",
  "industry": "Hair salon",
  "reviewStatus": "screening",
  "coverage": "Independent hair salon operators in Chicago, Illinois; national chains, franchise groups, and multi-unit operators excluded unless noted",
  "dataCompiledAt": "June 22, 2026",
  "sourcesVerifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "sourcePage": "https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/salon/city/chicago/",
  "citation": "HustleFin (2026). Chicago Hair salon Profit Margin Benchmarks. Retrieved from https://hustlefin.com/benchmarks/salon/city/chicago/",
  "metrics": [
    {
      "key": "gross_margin_pct",
      "label": "Gross margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 51,
      "average": 62,
      "high": 72
    },
    {
      "key": "net_margin_pct",
      "label": "Net margin",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 2,
      "average": 8,
      "high": 13
    },
    {
      "key": "commission_cost_pct",
      "label": "Stylist commission (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 40,
      "average": 46,
      "high": 52
    },
    {
      "key": "rent_cost_pct",
      "label": "Rent (% of revenue)",
      "unit": "percent",
      "low": 9,
      "average": 12,
      "high": 15
    },
    {
      "key": "typical_revenue",
      "label": "Typical revenue",
      "unit": "text",
      "value": "$195,000 – $1,050,000/year for independent Chicago salons"
    }
  ],
  "labor": {
    "minimumWage": "$16.20/hr (Chicago city)",
    "stateMinimumWage": "$15.00/hr (Illinois state, 2025)",
    "note": "City wage indexed annually — sets the commission guarantee floor. Illinois flat 4.95% income tax on owner profit."
  },
  "market": [
    {
      "label": "Estimated salons",
      "value": 4500
    },
    {
      "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 retail product sales)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Special fees",
      "value": "Illinois flat 4.95% income tax on owner profit"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label": "BLS OEWS — Hairdressers, Hairstylists & Cosmetologists (39-5012)",
      "url": "https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes395012.htm",
      "note": "Occupation-level wage estimates for hairdressers and cosmetologists."
    },
    {
      "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": "Professional Beauty Association",
      "url": "https://www.probeauty.org/",
      "note": "National trade association for the beauty industry; source of salon business and compensation context."
    },
    {
      "label": "City of Chicago",
      "url": "https://www.chicago.gov/",
      "note": "City business affairs and licensing, plus restaurant-specific taxes."
    }
  ]
}