10 profession planning ranges
Average no-show rates and cost by profession
Compare the supplied rate and missed-appointment cost ranges, then use the calculator and profession pages to turn a broad benchmark into an appointment- level baseline.
Typical no-show rate
Estimated cost per miss
Full benchmark table
“Typical” is the point supplied inside each range. Cost is practice impact, not a recommended no-show fee. Peak context is the profession-specific pattern to test against your own appointment data.
| Profession | No-show rate | Cost per miss | Peak context | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental | 10–20% (typical 15%) | $250–450 | Routine prophylaxis and recall appointments book quickly but are frequently deprioritized by patients who view them as optional until pain arises. | Detail |
| Med Spa | 20–35% (typical 25%) | $200–400 | Demand spikes sharply before holidays, weddings, and summer; many clients book impulsively for events then cancel when schedules or motivation change. | Detail |
| Dermatology | 12–30% (typical 20%) | $150–280 | Follow-up visits for chronic conditions such as acne or psoriasis have markedly higher no-show rates than initial evaluations or procedural appointments. | Detail |
| Chiropractic | 15–30% (typical 22%) | $90–160 | Multi-visit care plans see high drop-off once acute pain resolves, leading to missed maintenance or ongoing adjustment appointments. | Detail |
| Optometry | 20–30% (typical 25%) | $180–300 | Annual comprehensive exams and contact lens fittings are booked 6–12 months ahead and routinely forgotten by patients without current vision complaints. | Detail |
| Physical Therapy | 10–25% (typical 18%) | $85–130 | Extended rehab courses for musculoskeletal issues experience highest attrition after the first few visits once initial mobility or pain relief occurs. | Detail |
| Hair Salon | 3–8% (typical 5%) | $70–140 | Premium weekend and evening slots book weeks or months out while weekday cancellations are difficult to refill at the last minute. | Detail |
| Massage Therapy | 5–15% (typical 10%) | $65–110 | Recurring wellness appointments are treated as flexible; clients commonly cancel or no-show during high-stress work or family periods. | Detail |
| Tattoo Studio | 8–20% (typical 13%) | $250–550 | Large custom multi-hour sessions are scheduled far in advance; clients frequently overestimate pain tolerance, healing commitment, or life stability. | Detail |
| Counseling | 20–45% (typical 28%) | $100–170 | Attendance is highly sensitive to ambivalence, acute life stressors, transportation barriers, and the emotional demands of consistent engagement. | Detail |
Model your schedule
Replace the benchmark with your numbers.
Choose a profession for a sensible prefill, then enter your actual volume, rate, and average appointment value.
Your schedule inputs
Prefill: 10–20% (typical 15%) no-shows and $250–450 per missed appointment. The calculator uses the typical rate and the midpoint of the supplied cost range; replace both with your own measured data.
Estimated scheduled revenue at risk
Per month
$18,200
Per year
$218,400
Misses / month
52.0
At this appointment value, recovering 0.14 appointment per month equals a $149 NoShowLine subscription. This is arithmetic, not a savings promise; results depend on your baseline and workflow.
Measurement method
01 · Denominator
Count appointments expected to occur, excluding practice-cancelled visits under a documented rule.
02 · Outcomes
Separate attended, timely released, late-cancelled, no-show, and refilled appointments.
03 · Segments
Compare service, duration, lead time, practitioner, daypart, new/returning, and payer type where appropriate.
What is a good appointment no-show rate?
There is no universal target across appointment types. Compare your own rate over a consistent period, segment by service and lead time, and improve from that baseline while monitoring access and late releases.
Can the estimated cost per miss be used as a fee?
No. These ranges estimate practice impact. A lawful and proportionate fee requires separate state, payer, consumer, professional, authorization, and access review.
How should no-show rate be measured?
Use missed appointments divided by appointments expected to occur in the same period. Track timely cancellations, late cancellations, staff cancellations, and refilled releases separately.