Most Profitable Industries in United States in 2026

• 1. Apartment Rental in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $106.1B

  The Apartment Rental industry currently operates in a demand-rich but increasingly strained environment. Rapid population growth in urban and fast-growing Sun Belt and Texas cities has boosted revenue opportunities as more households rent and devote a larger share of income to housing. Many renters now spend around 30.0% of their income on rent, reflecting years in which rent growth outpaced wage gains and disposable income. At the same time, elevated home prices, mortgage rates and tighter c...

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• 2. Health & Medical Insurance in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $93.7B

  Health and medical insurance companies experienced significant fluctuations in performance in recent years. In 2022, high inflation pushed firms to prioritize other costs over health benefits, slowing revenue growth. In 2023 and 2024, stronger growth and subsidies helped lower the US uninsured rate, supporting revenue. More recently, tariff-driven price pressures in 2025–2026 have again dampened demand for coverage and higher-cost policies. To stabilize income, insurers are likely to deepen t...

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• 3. Investment Banking & Securities Intermediation in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $87.2B

  Strong returns in various financial markets and increased trading volumes benefited businesses in the industry. Companies provide underwriting, brokering and market-making services for different financial instruments, including bonds, stocks and derivatives. Businesses benefited from improving macroeconomic conditions despite the high-interest-rate environment for most of the period due to inflationary pressures. However, interest rate cuts in the latter part of the period, limited interest i...

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• 4. Software Publishing in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $66.3B

  Software publishing companies such as Microsoft and Oracle have become some of the world's most influential entities, primarily because of their omnipresence in the devices people use on an hourly basis. Over the past 20 years, industry revenue has more than tripled, untouched by the Great Recession and boosted by the pandemic. Revenues have climbed, signaling durable demand for licensed software and related services. Labor compensation has risen strongly, suggesting rising productivity and s...

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• 5. Auto Leasing, Loans & Sales Financing in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $47.9B

  Auto leasing, loans and sales financing comprise establishments that provide sales financing or leasing in combination with sales financing for automobiles. During the period, growth in consumer spending drove demand for these services, while a rising prime rate increased the cost of (and therefore the revenue generated by) industry services, resulting in revenue growth. The industry experienced declines in revenue at the onset of the period as it faced depressed consumer demand and a lower p...

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• 6. Engineering Services in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $45.1B

  Technological integration, government infrastructure investment and growth in data center projects are driving a period of steady, though modest, transformation in the Engineering Services industry. Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.7% over the past five years to reach an estimated $360.6 billion in 2026, including 0.8% growth in the current year, while profit has been broadly stable as firms use digital tools to offset cost pressures. This resilience reflects the combined effects of ...

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• 7. Third-Party Administrators & Insurance Claims Adjusters in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $43.3B

  While third-party administrators and insurance claims adjusters have broadly performed well in recent years, there’s been a fair amount of volatility. From 2022 to 2026, major economic swings caused sharp revenue fluctuations in the insurance services industry. High inflation in 2022 curbed investment in insurance products, slowing revenue growth. The following years, 2023 and 2024, saw strong gains as disinflation, economic stability and rising asset prices spurred demand and boosted service...

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• 8. Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $42.9B

  Supermarkets and grocery stores have spent the last five years grappling with turbulence. Despite steep jumps in food-at-home prices, true topline growth remained elusive as inflation-driven gains were quickly offset by volume declines and periods of nominal revenue contraction. Many grocers found themselves locked in a battle to defend sales amid subdued consumer demand, intense price sensitivity and the lasting competitive resurgence of restaurants and meal delivery. Throughout these years,...

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• 9. Rail Transportation in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $35.5B

  Rail transportation services have undergone a fundamental operational transformation over the past five years. Volume-driven growth strategies have shifted to profit optimization through precision scheduled railroading (PSR). Major Class I railroads adopted PSR principles to reduce operating ratios and streamline networks. They prioritized efficiency over capacity expansion. This strategic pivot delivered substantial profit gains. Profit's share of revenue climbed from 34.5% in 2021 to an est...

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• 10. Pharmacies & Drug Stores in the US

  Total Profit for 2026: $34.7B

  Pharmacies and drug stores remain central to US healthcare delivery, with revenue steadily growing despite periods of moderate volatility in recent years. The industry has benefited from a growing and aging population, as older adults require ongoing medication to manage chronic conditions—leading to higher prescription refill volumes. At the same time, expanded access to private insurance and public programs like Medicare and Medicaid is giving more people insurance coverage and supporting d...

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