Colin McIlheney, long time study collaborator revealed the Big Five benchmark statstics at the 2026 ISPA Conference
The data shows the US spa industry is making steady and meaningful progress
Spa visits were up from 187 million in 2024 to 191 million
The US spa industry is making steady, meaningful progress, with revenue reaching US$23.5 billion (€21.6 billion, £18.3 billion) in 2025, a 4.2 per cent increase on 2024’s figures.
The new data comes from the latest annual study revealed at the International Spa Association (ISPA) Conference 2026 to an audience of more than 2,000 spa professionals in Las Vegas, US.
The 2026 US Spa Industry Study, commissioned by ISPA and conducted by PwC, was unveiled by longtime analysis collaborator Colin McIlheney.
McIlheney outlined the latest Big Five statistics for the industry that provide a snapshot of the industry's progress. He said: “The Big Five is designed as a clear, accessible benchmark, and because it is tracked consistently year after year, it gives spa leaders a reliable way to spot trends and make smarter business decisions over time.”
The Big Five are as follows:
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Revenue rose to US$23.5 billion (€21.6 billion, £18.3 billion) in 2025, a 4.2 per cent increase over the previous year – when the figure was US$22.5 billion (€20.6 billion, £17.4 billion).
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Spa visits reached 191 million, up 1.8 per cent on 2024's total of 187 million.
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Spa locations grew to 22,060, a 0.4 per cent gain on 2024's 21,980.
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Revenue per spa visit increased to US$123 (€113, £96), up 2.3 per cent from 2024's US$120 (€110, £93).
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Total employment reached 376,900 in January 2026, a 0.2 per cent increase from 2025's 376,200.
In terms of workforce changes, the data reflects a stable picture. Full-time employment remained steady, part-time roles expanded slightly and contract positions declined.
During his presentation at the conference, McIlheney challenged spas in the US to take the 4.2 per cent growth achieved in the last year and stretch that percentage over the next few years to help revenues reach US$30 billion (€27.6 billion, £23.4 billion) by 2030.
ISPA President Lynne McNees said: “In an industry that thrives on experience and trust, having reliable, consistent data matters. As an early indicator of where the industry is heading, the Big Five also helps spa leaders begin to refine their strategies ahead of the full report’s release later this year.”
ISPA will release the full study later this year, providing deeper insights into the continued expansion of the US spa market.
Read an interview with McIlheney in Spa Business about last year’s 2025 US Spa Industry Study here.
