Most Profitable Industries in the US in 2025

1. Life Insurance & Annuities in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $158.9B

According to the Federal Reserve and the American Council of Life Insurers, the Life Insurance and Annuities industry is one of the largest sources of investment capital in the United States. Holding 20.0% of all US corporate bonds, industry operators represent domestic businesses' largest source of bond financing. Many companies rely on life insurers for capital and liquidity. The primary obligation of life insurers is to their policyholders; consumers use life insurance policies and annuities products for wealth preservation, estate planning and retirement savings. Industry operators provide these services to both individuals and businesses in various policy types.

In the past... Learn More

2. Apartment Rental in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $98.5B

Apartment lessors provide housing to renters either in a property that they own or in a property that they rent themselves. Lessors have enjoyed a period of success recently, although the pandemic and general economic shifts have disrupted the industry and slowed growth. The economic recession brought on by the pandemic resulted in falling rent prices in line with rising unemployment. Also, those that could afford to largely chose to leave cities as the pandemic incentivized people to focus on their living situations. According to the Apartment List National Rent Report, rent prices shot up following the end of pandemic-related... Learn More

3. Electric Power Transmission in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $61.6B

The Electric Power Transmission industry transmits and distributes electricity from power generators to distribution centers, other electric utilities and consumers. The increased infrastructure investment has allowed companies to raise rates, increasing revenue and profit. During the pandemic, power consumption was sluggish since many commercial and industrial businesses were forced to close. Residential consumers used more electricity because of stay-at-home orders, cushioning the blow from the decline in other sectors. The following year, an economic recovery led to a rebound in those markets as businesses reopened. Overall, industry revenue is set to increase at an annualized rate of 0.6% to $505.0... Learn More

4. Investment Banking & Securities Intermediation in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $59.3B

Strong returns in various financial markets and increased trading volumes have benefited businesses in the industry. Companies provide underwriting, brokering and market-making services for a range of financial instruments, including bonds, stocks and derivatives. Businesses benefited from improving macroeconomic conditions and interest rates remaining below historical averages. Overall, industry revenue has been growing at a CAGR of 11.5% over the past five years and is expected to total $492.1 billion in 2023, when revenue will jump by an estimated 22.3%.

While many industries struggled in 2020 as a result of COVID-19, businesses benefited from the volatility caused by the pandemic. Primarily,... Learn More

5. Health & Medical Insurance in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $57.0B

The Health and Medical Insurance industry, which is made up of carriers of private and public health, medical and dental insurance, has grown. This growth is a result of consistent increases in healthcare expenditure and medical cost inflation, in addition to a decline in the uninsured rate. Industry revenue is correlated with total health expenditure, as operators increase premiums to maintain profitability. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry experienced an influx of enrollment through expanded Medicaid eligibility, in addition to lower operating costs due to lower healthcare utilization. As unemployment increased, many people lost their employer-sponsored health insurance, causing... Learn More

6. Brand Name Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $49.6B

Over the past five years, the Brand Name Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry has experienced several new drug launches, with over 28 novel drugs approved in 2022 (latest data available). Given increasing price scrutiny, competition from generics, intensifying market competition among brand-name producers and rising research and development expenses, many manufacturers have shifted their strategic focus to more lucrative therapy areas, such as rare diseases and oncology. As a result, many companies pivoted their pipelines to rare diseases, in which low prescription volumes can be offset by high per-unit costs and benefit from orphan drug exclusivity, which grants longer patent exclusivity in... Learn More

7. Online Computer Software Sales in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $47.7B

There is a wide range of computer software applications currently available and that continue to be launched yearly for both business and personal use, leading the Online Computer Software Sales industry to have numerous vertical markets. The industry has largely benefited from the gradual digital transformation that runs concurrently with macroeconomic growth. However, while many facets of the global economy have suffered during COVID-19 and accompanying economic burdens, online retailers have benefited tremendously from increased digital screen time for work and leisure purposes. So, industry-wide revenue has been increasing at a CAGR of 6.0% over the past five years, including... Learn More

8. Emergency & Other Outpatient Care Centers in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $32.6B

The Emergency and Other Outpatient Care Centers industry has grown as the aging population and the nondiscretionary nature of this industry's services has bolstered revenue. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has expanded public healthcare coverage and promoted the role of outpatient facilities, despite changes to the healthcare law in recent years. Revenue has resumed fast growth following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed high-profit elective surgeries, temporarily limiting demand. With delayed demand pushing revenue growth to near double-digits in 2021, total industry revenue will rise at an average annual rate of 3.8% to $220.1 billion... Learn More

9. Venture Capital & Principal Trading in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $31.1B

Venture capital (VC) and principal trading have been integral to the start-up ecosystem for many years, providing crucial funding for entrepreneurs and start-ups. The industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, benefiting from rising security prices, increased trading volumes, unprecedented investment opportunities and greater merger and acquisition activity.

VC and principal trading revenue will grow at a CAGR of 4.4% to $59.6 billion through the end of 2023, including a 2.0% increase in 2023 alone, when profit will drop to 34.5%. The stock market has been mostly strong in recent years. Venture capitalists benefit from the high valuation on the... Learn More

10. Rail Transportation in the US

Total Profit for 2025: $29.6B

Demand for rail transportation has been turbulent in recent years. The outbreak of COVID-19 greatly hindered demand; industrial production and manufacturing were temporarily halted in 2020. Also, oil prices plummeted in 2020, making truck transportation more attractive since its route planning is more flexible and freight rates per ton are often low, further hindering demand.

A reopened economy in 2021 led trade and industrial production to also recover, while energy exports to Europe and Asia increased, benefiting rail transportation. Surging oil prices also enabled railroad companies to bolster revenue by increasing surcharges to compensate for high fuel costs. These rising... Learn More