As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Small Business Owner in the United States is $63,187 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Small Business Owner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Small Business Owner's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Small Business Owner's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Machinist... Level Small Business Owner | $63,924 |
| Machinist... Level Small Business Owner | $71,331 |
| Small Bus... Level Small Business Owner | $63,886 |
| Machine S... Level Small Business Owner | $76,244 |
| Machine S... Level Small Business Owner | $98,518 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Small Business Owners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 4.39% |
| Quality Checks | 3.48% |
| RPA | 1.72% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
HVAC
|
$79,615 |
26%
|
|
Container
|
$77,719 |
23%
|
|
Standard Operating Procedures
|
$70,769 |
12%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$70,137 |
11%
|
|
Integrity
|
$68,873 |
9%
|
|
Commitment
|
$68,873 |
9%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Small Business Owners enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Small Business Owner with a No Diploma is between $58,003 and $65,156).
Small Business Owner Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 3.6% |
| High School | 58.9% |
| Associates | 17.9% |
| Bachelors | 19.6% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Small Business Owner's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 01, 2026Salaries for a Small Business Owner can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $55,662 in 2023 to around $55,762 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Small Business Owner salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $55,662 |
| 2024 | $56,004 |
| 2025 | $55,762 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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