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Health & Wellness Spa

Health & Wellness Spa

Health and Wellness Spa

Learn about the Health & Wellness Industry and find information on how to start your own Health & Wellness Spa. Don’t forget you can receive free or low-cost training and free professional business advice, from your local Small Business Development Center!

View our related business reports here: Beauty Salon Business, Alternative Health Business, Gym Business

Get a Health & Wellness Spa business plan template on our Business Plans page.

Health & Wellness Spa Business Forecast

Health and wellness spas are shifting toward long-term well-being as consumers seek services that support healthy aging and enhance overall appearance. This evolution reflects a broader lifestyle trend, as McKinsey reports strong growth in these areas and notes that consumers are increasingly willing to invest in services that feel both functional and restorative. Many spas are expanding their offerings beyond traditional relaxation to include holistic care programs and advanced wellness services. However, as the industry embraces this shift, it may have to prepare for operational and financial challenges that could influence future planning. Operators may have to navigate rising cost pressures driven by tariffs on beauty and personal care imports. Moreover, proposed tariffs on aesthetic pharmaceuticals could significantly increase inventory costs, adding another layer of complexity for operators. Small business spas may have to adapt to balancing consumer demand for wellness services with the realities of rising inventory costs.

Despite ongoing challenges, the health and wellness sector continues to show strong demand and resilient consumer spending. Hands-on services remain firm, with massage therapy employment projected to rise by 18% over the next decade. Recent ISPA data reinforces this momentum, reporting $22.5 billion in spa revenue and 187 million in total spa visits. As trends such as “Wellness Tourism” gain traction, spas are exploring ways to broaden their service mix. Innovative services such as regenerative programs offer consumer assessment, guided support and recovery treatments. Programs such as these emphasize an underlying interest in ongoing care rather than single-visit relaxation. At the same time, spas are adopting cloud-based technologies to streamline communication, and improve record-keeping. By expanding wellness offerings and integrating digital tools, spas may be better positioned to manage rising costs while meeting new customer expectations.

Here are some additional business resources specific to the industry:

Health & Wellness Spa Business Overview & Trends

NAICS Code: 812199; SIC Code: 7299

Health and wellness spas play a significant role in the personal care services sector. The medical spa market continues to grow, with the latest report from the American Med Spa Association showing U.S. locations increasing to 10,488.

This spa services summary is from First Research which also sells a full version of this report.

  • “Companies in this industry operate spas and wellness centers. Major US companies include destination spa chains Canyon Ranch and Golden Door; massage clinic franchise Massage Envy, which operates spas on cruise ships and at resorts and hotels; and day spa franchise Woodhouse Day Spa. Major companies based outside the US include Absolute Spa (Canada); Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu (Japan); and Polska Grupa Uzdrowisk (Poland).
  • The global spa services market is forecast to reach about $363 billion by 2035 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% over the forecast period of 2025 to 2035, according to Future Market insights (FMI). Surging demand for relaxation, wellness, and meditation activities, combined with the increasing demand of spa services for healing and pain management, especially by elderly, will likely drive market growth. North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe dominate the market and expected to have the highest growth.
  • The US fitness and recreational sports centers industry, which includes spa services in the US has a revenue of about $33 billion and an estimated 37,000 spa locations across the US.
  • Competitive Landscape: Demand for spa services is driven by personal income, wellness tourism, and demographic trends. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient resource use and effective marketing. Spa visits and revenue per visit are key industry metrics. Larger companies have some economies of scale in marketing and purchasing.”

Health & Wellness Spa Technology

Technology is an increasingly vital component utilized in the health & wellness spa industry. Many businesses are adopting smarter, more streamlined tools to support daily operations. From simplifying booking and communication to reducing system overload, spas are increasingly turning to integrated platforms that improve workflow and enhance client experience. Here is information on technology usage in health and wellness spas:

For additional information on technology, visit our AI for Small Business Guide.

Health & Wellness Spa Customer Demographics

Major customer segments for Health & Wellness Spa are reported by IBISWorld which offers a full version of their report for purchase here.

  • The Health & Wellness Spa market is segmented by four main client groups, including adult women, adult men, seniors, and teenagers/children.
  • Adult women under 65 account for 44.7% of the market and remain the core customer base. Many of these consumers visit spas for regular self-care and wellness support. Services geared toward women’s health, such as prenatal massage or programs that help with hormonal changes, continue to strengthen this segment’s demand.
  • Adult men under 65 make up 29.1% of the market. This share continues to rise as more men visit spas for recovery and stress relief. Fitness related services, such as targeted massages, saunas, and cold-therapy, play a major role in attracting this group.
  • Seniors account for 16.0% of the total spa market, and their participation is growing as many older adults rely on spa services to ease pain and improve circulation for increased mobility. The calming environment also supports emotional wellness, adding to the appeal of this segment.
  • Teenagers and children represent 10.2% of the market but have limited spending power. Their interest is shaped by skincare trends and social activities such as spa parties. Simple, youth-friendly treatments help maintain demand in this segment.

Additional information on health & wellness spa demographics can be found in a variety of trade associations and publications, including:

Health & Wellness Spa Startup Costs

Establishing a health & wellness spa requires an understanding of the startup costs involved in order to develop a sound financial plan. Whether you’re purchasing an existing facility or selecting a site to build your own, there are many important costs to consider.

According to a cost breakdown reported by Profitable Venture, spa startup costs are as follows:

  • “Equipment needed for your spa. In addition to all the typical office equipment, such as a copier and office supplies, you’ll need to buy the following:
    • Stool for aestheticians: $125
    • Reception desk stool: $150
    • Pedicure ottoman: $200
    • Magnifying lamp: $300
    • Hot towel cabinet: $350”

Additional health and wellness spa startup cost information can be found at:

  • How to Start a Spa from Growthink
    • “The cost of opening a spa can range depending on your startup goals and needs. The amount that you will need to spend will largely depend on how grand you want to go with the spa business. In most cases, you’ll need to have at least $250,000 to get a spa up and running. That includes the cost of equipment, labor, and marketing materials like flyers or brochures. It also includes licensing fees along with other startup costs like furniture for the space.”
  • How to start a massage practice from Massage Magazine
    • “Products Needed to Start a Massage Practice. There are certain products you must have to start your massage therapy practice.
      • Your table setup: Massage table, rolling stool, table pad or heater, and bolsters: $1,500
      • Your linens: Eight sets of sheets and a variety of large and small towels, $200
      • Your ambiance: Lighting, client chair to sit in, decorations for room, $100
      • Your lubricant to start with: Oil, lotion, or cream, $100
      • Your marketing materials: Business cards, $100
      • Average total product cost: $2,030”

Health & Wellness Spa Business Plans

The following are sample health and wellness spa business plans for reference. For additional business plan samples, visit our Business Plans Guide.

Health & Wellness Business Associations

Trade associations often are excellent sources of information on an industry. Here are some relevant health and wellness spa industry associations:

Health & Wellness Business Regulations

The section is intended to provide a general awareness of health & wellness spa regulations and agencies to consider when starting your business. Check with your state and municipality for rules and regulations that may impact the businesses in your area.

Health and wellness spas are regulated primarily at the state level. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the med spa industry in the U.S. lacks federal oversight and relies heavily on state medical boards for regulation. Below are industry association resources for regulatory compliance:

Health & Wellness Spa Business Publications & Resources

For resources to help market your health & wellness spa start up, visit our Digital Marketing Guide, Social Media Marketing Guide, and our Website Design Guide.

Health & Wellness Spa Employment Trends

Understanding employment trends within the health and wellness sector is essential when opening a spa. These businesses depend on a variety of specialized support roles to operate smoothly, including massage therapists, estheticians, nail technicians, wellness instructors, and front-desk staff. The following are insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook into Skincare Specialists. A more specific breakdown of other health and wellness occupations is available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • “Pay: The median hourly wage for skincare specialists was $19.98 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13.06, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $37.18.
  • Work Environment: Skincare specialists usually work in salons and beauty and health spas. Some work in medical offices. Skincare specialists may have to stand for extended periods of time.
  • Job Outlook: Employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 14,500 openings for skincare specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”

Additional Small Business Resources

Already in business or thinking about starting your own small business? Check out our various small business resources:

Remember, you can also receive free professional business advice and free or low-cost business training from your local Small Business Development Center!

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

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