GITNUXREPORT 2026

Prostitution In Usa Statistics

America's vast, often hidden sex trade involves exploitation and generates billions annually.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

70% of US sex workers are women aged 18-29

Statistic 2

20-25% are transgender individuals

Statistic 3

10% are male cisgender workers

Statistic 4

40% of victims are foreign-born

Statistic 5

50% of street workers are African American

Statistic 6

Average entry age is 16 years old

Statistic 7

80% have high school education or less

Statistic 8

30% identify as LGBTQ+

Statistic 9

Rural areas have 15% of sex workers, urban 85%

Statistic 10

60% come from foster care backgrounds

Statistic 11

Hispanic workers 20% in indoor markets

Statistic 12

25% are veterans

Statistic 13

Minors comprise 12-14% of all sex workers

Statistic 14

Asian women 40% in massage parlors

Statistic 15

70% of pimped workers are under 18 initially

Statistic 16

Native American women overrepresented at 2x rate

Statistic 17

50% of trafficking victims are US citizens

Statistic 18

Average client age 40-50, 80% married

Statistic 19

35% of workers have children under 18

Statistic 20

Pimps average age 25, 60% male

Statistic 21

15% of victims are boys/men

Statistic 22

Suburban areas see 30% increase in young workers

Statistic 23

45% report homelessness prior to entry

Statistic 24

White women 40% in street prostitution

Statistic 25

20% have disabilities

Statistic 26

Clients 70% white, middle class

Statistic 27

55% of indoor workers over 25 years old

Statistic 28

The average sex worker sees 5-10 clients per day

Statistic 29

Indoor sex workers earn $200-$1,000 per session on average

Statistic 30

Street workers earn $20-$50 per act

Statistic 31

Pimps take 50-80% of earnings from sex workers

Statistic 32

Nevada brothels pay $35 million in taxes yearly

Statistic 33

Sex economy in US cities averages 0.2-0.4% of GDP

Statistic 34

Massage parlors generate $2.5 billion annually illicitly

Statistic 35

Escorts charge $100-$500/hour

Statistic 36

Brothels in Nevada charge $500-$2,000 per night

Statistic 37

60% of sex worker income goes to housing and drugs

Statistic 38

Pimping generates $1 million per pimp annually on average

Statistic 39

Online sex sales total $1 billion yearly estimate

Statistic 40

Legal Nevada brothels contribute 1% of state gaming tax revenue

Statistic 41

Trafficking economy costs US $150 billion in losses yearly

Statistic 42

Sex workers spend 30% of earnings on condoms/safety

Statistic 43

Average brothel worker earns $50,000/year after house cut

Statistic 44

Illicit sex trade evades $10 billion in taxes annually

Statistic 45

Clients spend $100 average per encounter

Statistic 46

40% of pimps invest earnings in legitimate businesses

Statistic 47

Sex tourism in US cities generates $500 million

Statistic 48

Workers in legal brothels get health insurance benefits

Statistic 49

Street economy turnover is $5-10k per worker monthly

Statistic 50

25% of sex economy from minors, valued at $3 billion

Statistic 51

Prostitution fines generate $50 million in city revenues yearly

Statistic 52

Online platforms take 20-30% commission on sex ads

Statistic 53

Nevada brothel workers average 10 clients/week

Statistic 54

80-90% of sex workers have STDs like chlamydia/gonorrhea

Statistic 55

HIV prevalence among sex workers is 17% vs 0.4% general population

Statistic 56

68% of sex workers report violence from clients yearly

Statistic 57

Drug use among sex workers is 60-90%

Statistic 58

Homicide rate for sex workers is 17x national average

Statistic 59

45% suffer PTSD equivalent to combat veterans

Statistic 60

Condom use is 50% with regulars, 80% with new clients

Statistic 61

Syphilis rates 10x higher in sex workers

Statistic 62

70% report childhood abuse history

Statistic 63

Overdose death rate 40x higher for sex workers

Statistic 64

Access to healthcare is 20% for street workers

Statistic 65

30% have TB infections untreated

Statistic 66

Assault victimization 10-40x higher

Statistic 67

HPV/cervical cancer 2x higher

Statistic 68

Mental health issues in 89%

Statistic 69

50% attempt suicide yearly

Statistic 70

Hepatitis C prevalence 40%

Statistic 71

Pregnancy rates 25% unintended annually

Statistic 72

Malnutrition affects 35% due to drug use

Statistic 73

Legal brothel workers have lower STI rates (5%)

Statistic 74

Client-perpetrated rape 20-30%

Statistic 75

65% smoke daily, lung cancer risk elevated

Statistic 76

PrEP use only 10% among at-risk workers

Statistic 77

75% report sleep deprivation chronic

Statistic 78

Pimp violence causes 40% of injuries

Statistic 79

55% female sex workers are mothers, childcare issues

Statistic 80

Gonorrhea reinfection 25% yearly

Statistic 81

Average lifespan 34 years for street prostitutes

Statistic 82

90% of minors in sex trade have untreated STIs

Statistic 83

Prostitution is illegal in 49 states except regulated Nevada counties

Statistic 84

FOSTA-SESTA law in 2018 banned sex ads online

Statistic 85

200+ federal anti-trafficking prosecutions yearly

Statistic 86

Prostitution penalties average 1 year jail and $1,000 fine

Statistic 87

49 states criminalize buying sex, 50 selling

Statistic 88

Nevada allows brothels in 10 counties legally

Statistic 89

Pimping carries 5-20 year sentences federally

Statistic 90

80% of prostitution laws target sellers not buyers

Statistic 91

End Demand initiatives in 20 states shift to john arrests

Statistic 92

Trafficking Victims Protection Act reauthorized 5 times since 2000

Statistic 93

1,200 state pimping convictions yearly average

Statistic 94

Rhode Island decriminalized 2003-2009, arrests dropped 30%

Statistic 95

New York solicitation law repealed in 1977

Statistic 96

Federal Mann Act prohibits interstate transport for prostitution

Statistic 97

35 states have safe harbor laws for minor sex workers

Statistic 98

Client arrests rose 50% post-FOSTA

Statistic 99

Oregon decriminalized sex work in 2020 for small amounts

Statistic 100

90% of prostitution arrests are misdemeanors

Statistic 101

FBI SEGP operation led to 1,800 arrests in 2019

Statistic 102

Asset forfeiture used in 40% of trafficking cases

Statistic 103

DC has highest prostitution enforcement rate

Statistic 104

15 states mandate HIV testing for sex workers

Statistic 105

Bail for prostitution averages $500-$2,000

Statistic 106

RICO used against pimp rings in 10% of cases

Statistic 107

60% of sex trafficking convictions are federal

Statistic 108

Approximately 1 million people are engaged in prostitution in the United States

Statistic 109

In 2014, the underground sex economy across eight major US cities was valued between $39.9 million and $290 million

Statistic 110

Atlanta's underground sex economy was estimated at $290 million in 2007

Statistic 111

San Diego's sex economy generated $192 million annually from prostitution-related activities

Statistic 112

About 80% of prostitution arrests in the US involve women

Statistic 113

Over 1,000 brothels operate in Nevada legally, generating millions in revenue

Statistic 114

Online platforms facilitate 70-80% of sex trafficking in the US

Statistic 115

An estimated 15,000-20,000 people are trafficked into the US for commercial sex annually

Statistic 116

In 2022, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 10,359 sex trafficking cases

Statistic 117

Street-based prostitution accounts for 20-30% of all commercial sex transactions

Statistic 118

Escort services represent 50% of the indoor prostitution market

Statistic 119

Massage parlors contribute 25% to the sex economy in many cities

Statistic 120

The average annual revenue per sex worker in indoor markets is $45,000-$100,000

Statistic 121

Illicit massage businesses number over 9,000 nationwide

Statistic 122

70% of sex workers enter the industry before age 18

Statistic 123

Prostitution arrests peaked at 62,666 in 1990

Statistic 124

In 2019, there were 25,000 prostitution arrests nationwide

Statistic 125

Nevada's legal brothels employ about 300 workers at any time

Statistic 126

Online sex ads total over 100 million annually on US platforms

Statistic 127

40% of prostitution occurs in hotels/motels

Statistic 128

The sex trade involves 80-90% women and girls globally, with similar US ratios

Statistic 129

Denver's sex economy was $40 million in 2007

Statistic 130

Washington's sex economy estimated at $100 million annually

Statistic 131

25% of pimps are women

Statistic 132

Average pimp controls 4-6 sex workers

Statistic 133

Street prostitution visible in 80% of major US cities

Statistic 134

Indoor prostitution growing 20% yearly due to internet

Statistic 135

1 in 6 runaways become involved in prostitution within a week

Statistic 136

Sex trafficking victims reported 16,554 signals in 2021

Statistic 137

Prostitution generates $14 billion annually nationwide estimate

1/137

Sources

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Hidden in plain sight, a multi-billion dollar industry thrives on the streets and screens of America, where an estimated one million people are engaged in prostitution—a vast and complex world of stark contrasts between devastating exploitation and, in rare legal corners, regulated business.

Key Takeaways

Approximately 1 million people are engaged in prostitution in the United States
In 2014, the underground sex economy across eight major US cities was valued between $39.9 million and $290 million
Atlanta's underground sex economy was estimated at $290 million in 2007
The average sex worker sees 5-10 clients per day
Indoor sex workers earn $200-$1,000 per session on average
Street workers earn $20-$50 per act
Prostitution is illegal in 49 states except regulated Nevada counties
FOSTA-SESTA law in 2018 banned sex ads online
200+ federal anti-trafficking prosecutions yearly
80-90% of sex workers have STDs like chlamydia/gonorrhea
HIV prevalence among sex workers is 17% vs 0.4% general population
68% of sex workers report violence from clients yearly
70% of US sex workers are women aged 18-29
20-25% are transgender individuals
10% are male cisgender workers

America's vast, often hidden sex trade involves exploitation and generates billions annually.

Demographics and Victims

70% of US sex workers are women aged 18-29
20-25% are transgender individuals
10% are male cisgender workers
40% of victims are foreign-born
50% of street workers are African American
Average entry age is 16 years old
80% have high school education or less
30% identify as LGBTQ+
Rural areas have 15% of sex workers, urban 85%
60% come from foster care backgrounds
Hispanic workers 20% in indoor markets
25% are veterans
Minors comprise 12-14% of all sex workers
Asian women 40% in massage parlors
70% of pimped workers are under 18 initially
Native American women overrepresented at 2x rate
50% of trafficking victims are US citizens
Average client age 40-50, 80% married
35% of workers have children under 18
Pimps average age 25, 60% male
15% of victims are boys/men
Suburban areas see 30% increase in young workers
45% report homelessness prior to entry
White women 40% in street prostitution
20% have disabilities
Clients 70% white, middle class
55% of indoor workers over 25 years old

Demographics and Victims Interpretation

This grim data portrait reveals a system that preys overwhelmingly on the young, the marginalized, and the vulnerable, a predator's market where desperation is the primary commodity and exploitation is the business model.

Economic Impact

The average sex worker sees 5-10 clients per day
Indoor sex workers earn $200-$1,000 per session on average
Street workers earn $20-$50 per act
Pimps take 50-80% of earnings from sex workers
Nevada brothels pay $35 million in taxes yearly
Sex economy in US cities averages 0.2-0.4% of GDP
Massage parlors generate $2.5 billion annually illicitly
Escorts charge $100-$500/hour
Brothels in Nevada charge $500-$2,000 per night
60% of sex worker income goes to housing and drugs
Pimping generates $1 million per pimp annually on average
Online sex sales total $1 billion yearly estimate
Legal Nevada brothels contribute 1% of state gaming tax revenue
Trafficking economy costs US $150 billion in losses yearly
Sex workers spend 30% of earnings on condoms/safety
Average brothel worker earns $50,000/year after house cut
Illicit sex trade evades $10 billion in taxes annually
Clients spend $100 average per encounter
40% of pimps invest earnings in legitimate businesses
Sex tourism in US cities generates $500 million
Workers in legal brothels get health insurance benefits
Street economy turnover is $5-10k per worker monthly
25% of sex economy from minors, valued at $3 billion
Prostitution fines generate $50 million in city revenues yearly
Online platforms take 20-30% commission on sex ads
Nevada brothel workers average 10 clients/week

Economic Impact Interpretation

Behind the cold statistics lies a stark economy of desperation and grotesque profit, where a street worker's twenty-dollar act and a pimp's million-dollar income are two sides of the same coercive coin, proving the oldest trade is built not on desire, but on exploitation.

Health and Risks

80-90% of sex workers have STDs like chlamydia/gonorrhea
HIV prevalence among sex workers is 17% vs 0.4% general population
68% of sex workers report violence from clients yearly
Drug use among sex workers is 60-90%
Homicide rate for sex workers is 17x national average
45% suffer PTSD equivalent to combat veterans
Condom use is 50% with regulars, 80% with new clients
Syphilis rates 10x higher in sex workers
70% report childhood abuse history
Overdose death rate 40x higher for sex workers
Access to healthcare is 20% for street workers
30% have TB infections untreated
Assault victimization 10-40x higher
HPV/cervical cancer 2x higher
Mental health issues in 89%
50% attempt suicide yearly
Hepatitis C prevalence 40%
Pregnancy rates 25% unintended annually
Malnutrition affects 35% due to drug use
Legal brothel workers have lower STI rates (5%)
Client-perpetrated rape 20-30%
65% smoke daily, lung cancer risk elevated
PrEP use only 10% among at-risk workers
75% report sleep deprivation chronic
Pimp violence causes 40% of injuries
55% female sex workers are mothers, childcare issues
Gonorrhea reinfection 25% yearly
Average lifespan 34 years for street prostitutes
90% of minors in sex trade have untreated STIs

Health and Risks Interpretation

This avalanche of grim statistics paints prostitution not as a choice but as a relentless, body-and-soul-corroding crisis where survival itself is a daily, violent negotiation against disease, trauma, and an early grave.

Legal Framework

Prostitution is illegal in 49 states except regulated Nevada counties
FOSTA-SESTA law in 2018 banned sex ads online
200+ federal anti-trafficking prosecutions yearly
Prostitution penalties average 1 year jail and $1,000 fine
49 states criminalize buying sex, 50 selling
Nevada allows brothels in 10 counties legally
Pimping carries 5-20 year sentences federally
80% of prostitution laws target sellers not buyers
End Demand initiatives in 20 states shift to john arrests
Trafficking Victims Protection Act reauthorized 5 times since 2000
1,200 state pimping convictions yearly average
Rhode Island decriminalized 2003-2009, arrests dropped 30%
New York solicitation law repealed in 1977
Federal Mann Act prohibits interstate transport for prostitution
35 states have safe harbor laws for minor sex workers
Client arrests rose 50% post-FOSTA
Oregon decriminalized sex work in 2020 for small amounts
90% of prostitution arrests are misdemeanors
FBI SEGP operation led to 1,800 arrests in 2019
Asset forfeiture used in 40% of trafficking cases
DC has highest prostitution enforcement rate
15 states mandate HIV testing for sex workers
Bail for prostitution averages $500-$2,000
RICO used against pimp rings in 10% of cases
60% of sex trafficking convictions are federal

Legal Framework Interpretation

American prostitution law resembles a lopsided game of whack-a-mole, where we keep hammering the vulnerable seller with one hand while the system occasionally, and inconsistently, swats at the buyer with the other.

Prevalence and Scale

Approximately 1 million people are engaged in prostitution in the United States
In 2014, the underground sex economy across eight major US cities was valued between $39.9 million and $290 million
Atlanta's underground sex economy was estimated at $290 million in 2007
San Diego's sex economy generated $192 million annually from prostitution-related activities
About 80% of prostitution arrests in the US involve women
Over 1,000 brothels operate in Nevada legally, generating millions in revenue
Online platforms facilitate 70-80% of sex trafficking in the US
An estimated 15,000-20,000 people are trafficked into the US for commercial sex annually
In 2022, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 10,359 sex trafficking cases
Street-based prostitution accounts for 20-30% of all commercial sex transactions
Escort services represent 50% of the indoor prostitution market
Massage parlors contribute 25% to the sex economy in many cities
The average annual revenue per sex worker in indoor markets is $45,000-$100,000
Illicit massage businesses number over 9,000 nationwide
70% of sex workers enter the industry before age 18
Prostitution arrests peaked at 62,666 in 1990
In 2019, there were 25,000 prostitution arrests nationwide
Nevada's legal brothels employ about 300 workers at any time
Online sex ads total over 100 million annually on US platforms
40% of prostitution occurs in hotels/motels
The sex trade involves 80-90% women and girls globally, with similar US ratios
Denver's sex economy was $40 million in 2007
Washington's sex economy estimated at $100 million annually
25% of pimps are women
Average pimp controls 4-6 sex workers
Street prostitution visible in 80% of major US cities
Indoor prostitution growing 20% yearly due to internet
1 in 6 runaways become involved in prostitution within a week
Sex trafficking victims reported 16,554 signals in 2021
Prostitution generates $14 billion annually nationwide estimate

Prevalence and Scale Interpretation

This grim economy, sprawling from the street corner to the smartphone, turns human beings into a multi-billion dollar commodity while our legal response remains a confusing patchwork of crackdowns, exploitation, and, in Nevada's case, a taxed receipt.

Sources & References

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