Urgent care startup
How to start an independent urgent care
Independent urgent care startups run $500k–$1.2M and require higher volume than primary care to work — 25+ patients per day break-even, 40+ for good returns. Site visibility, extended hours, and occupational medicine contracts are the three biggest determinants of success.
By Jordan Alderman, MBA, CMPE · Reviewed by Rania Hassan, JD, CHC · Last reviewed · Methodology
Disclosure: Independent editorial. No pay-for-placement, no affiliate rankings. Full editorial standards.
This guide covers the operating model and startup path for independent urgent care.
Financial model
- Startup total: $500k–$1.2M for a modern 4-exam-room practice
- Real estate + build-out: $250k–$500k
- Equipment: $150k–$300k (X-ray, lab, POC testing)
- Working capital: $75k–$150k
- Break-even: 25+ patients per day
- Target patients per day at maturity: 40–70
Site selection matters more than for primary care
Urgent care is a convenience business. Drive-time visibility, parking, and adjacency to retail or population centers drive volume. Never open in a location that requires a destination visit.
Staffing model
- Providers: 1 MD/DO + 1 NP/PA typical during peak; solo NP/PA off-peak
- Medical assistants: 2–3 during peak
- X-ray tech (dual-role MA/tech common)
- Front desk: 1–2
- Extended hours (12+ per day, 7 days) required for volume
Occupational medicine
Occ med contracts (drug screens, pre-employment physicals, workers' comp, DOT physicals) can be 20%–35% of an urgent care's revenue and are the highest-margin service line. Local employer BD is a first-year priority.
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