Powered by the Industry It Serves: ISPA’s 2026 “Big Five” Statistics Show Steady Gains and Enduring Strength

The International SPA Association (ISPA) has released its 2026 “Big Five” statistics, offering a clear, data-backed view of a spa industry that continues to grow with intention and stability.

Commissioned by the ISPA Research Foundation and conducted by PwC, the annual ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study is among the only comprehensive, recurring research efforts dedicated solely to the U.S. spa industry. For more than 25 years, this work has been made possible by ISPA members who invest in advancing the profession.

The “Big Five” represents a snapshot of this broader research, tracking five essential indicators of industry health: revenue, spa visits, locations, revenue per visit and employment.

The 2026 statistics were unveiled by longtime study collaborator Colin McIlheney, who shared analysis of the results with more than 2,000 spa leaders at ISPA’s annual Conference in Las Vegas. “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,” he said.

This year’s results reflect steady, meaningful progress:

• Revenue rose to $23.5 billion in 2025, a 4.2 percent increase over the previous year.
• Spa visits reached 191 million, up 1.8 percent.
• Spa locations grew to 22,060, a 0.4 percent gain.
• Revenue per spa visit increased to $123.10, up 2.3 percent.
• Total employment reached 376,900 in January 2026, a 0.2 percent increase.

Workforce data shows a stable foundation, with full-time employment holding steady, part-time roles expanding slightly and contract positions declining.

“In an industry that thrives on experience and trust, having reliable, consistent data matters,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “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.”

A visual of the 2026 “Big Five” statistics is available for download here.