Reference page
U.S. personal care industry statistics
A current collection of figures on the scale, jobs, research, and exports behind the products people use every day.
Last updated September 15, 2026. Figures are labeled with the year they measure.
At a glance
A useful snapshot of a far-reaching industry.
Personal care reaches far beyond the shelf. It includes hair, skin, fragrance, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products, along with the farms, makers, labs, packers, retailers, and service partners that support them.
This is a straightforward reference for customers, writers, students, and anyone looking for a clear starting point. Each figure below links to its named source and keeps its reporting year close at hand.
Key figures
The numbers behind personal care in the U.S.
$495.6B
in total U.S. economic output
The personal care products industry supported $495.6 billion in U.S. economic output in 2024.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 2026$242.4B
contributed to U.S. GDP
The industry contributed $242.4 billion to U.S. gross domestic product in 2024.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 20262.6M
U.S. jobs supported
The industry supported more than 2.6 million jobs across the U.S. economy in 2024.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 20261.2M
direct jobs
More than 1.2 million of those jobs were directly tied to the personal care products industry in 2024.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 2026$110.7B
in labor income
The industry supported $110.7 billion in labor income in 2024.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 2026$54K
average annual earnings
Average annual earnings for a direct industry job were about $54,000 in 2024.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 202695.5%
of industry firms are small businesses
Small businesses made up 95.5% of personal care product firms in 2022.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 2026$1.3B
in domestic research investment
The industry invested $1.3 billion in domestic research and development in 2023.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 2026$15.8B
in U.S. exports
U.S. personal care product exports reached $15.8 billion in 2025.
Source: Personal Care Products Council and KPMG, May 2026Why it matters
Small makers are part of a much larger picture.
Most firms in this industry are small businesses. That matters because personal care is not only shaped by household names. It is also shaped by independent makers and specialty brands with a close eye on ingredients, formulation, and the everyday details customers notice.
For Railflower, the most useful takeaway is simple: thoughtful, well-made personal care belongs in a broad and evolving category, but a product still earns its place through clarity and care. A short ingredient list, honest product language, and a formula that feels good to use remain meaningful choices.
Sources and method
How to read these figures.
All statistics on this page come from Personal Care Products Council and KPMG's May 18, 2026 economic impact release, which reports findings from an industry economic impact study. The source reports figures for several measurement years, including 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Each statistic above names the year it measures.
This page summarizes the source for quick reference. For definitions, assumptions, and the complete study context, read the original release.