business
What America's independent businesses actually earn
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker , KVIA ABC-7
· July 22, 2026
· 6 min read
Independent work is usually measured by headcount, rather than income. In an effort to better understand what these businesses actually earn, 1-800Accountant analyzed revenue and expense data from thousands of 1099 businesses, freelancers, and independent contractors across the country for The 10...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Key Highlights Across 31 industries, typical revenue for an earning 1099 business runs from about $850 to $77,000, with a midpoint near $19,200.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso, the findings of The 1099 Earnings Report have significant implications for the local economy. With a large number of small businesses and independent contractors operating in the city, understanding the revenue and expense dynamics of these enterprises is crucial. The report's identification of wholesale and distribution, healthcare, and construction as high-earning industries is particularly relevant, given the presence of these sectors in El Paso. However, the report's also noting that 10 of the 31 industries measured operate at a median loss, suggests that many local independent businesses may be struggling to stay afloat. As the city continues to grow and develop, it is essential for local policymakers and business leaders to consider the challenges faced by independent businesses and explore ways to support their growth and success, particularly in industries that are more prone to operating at a loss.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Independent work is usually measured by headcount, rather than income. In an effort to better understand what these businesses actually earn, 1-800Accountant analyzed revenue and expense data from thousands of 1099 businesses, freelancers, and independent contractors across the country for The 10...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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