How much does a AED Program Management Service cost to buy?

A typical AED Program Management Service sells for 2.5x to 5x annual revenue. With average revenue of $150K, expect to pay $375K to $750K.

How much does it cost to start a AED Program Management Service?

Startup costs range from $5K to $15K depending on location, equipment, and scale.

Route

AED Program Management Service

Q: What are the profit margins for a AED Program Management Service?

The average profit margin for a AED Program Management Service is around 48%. At $300/AED/year and 500 managed units, annual revenue is $150K. Margin is high because the physical visit is short, supply markup on pads and batteries is 30-50%, and overhead is minimal (van, software, insurance). Net margins of 45-50% are achievable at scale. The strongest operators bundle CPR training to multiply revenue per client.

Every gym, school, and office building has a defibrillator — most owners don't know the pads expire

AED (automated external defibrillator) program management businesses handle the ongoing compliance, inspection, and supply replacement for defibrillators installed in commercial buildings, gyms, schools, offices, and sports facilities. Every installed AED has electrode pads that expire every 2 years and batteries that last 4-5 years. Building owners are legally liable if their AED fails to function in an emergency. Most have no idea who is responsible for tracking expiration dates or filing the required state registrations. The business model is pure recurring revenue from regulatory necessity.

Share on X Share on LinkedIn

Avg Revenue

$150K

Profit Margin

48%

Acquisition Multiple

2.5x - 5x

Startup Cost

$5K - $15K

Difficulty

2/5

How It Works

The operator signs buildings to an annual management plan ($150-$600/AED/year depending on services included). The plan covers quarterly or annual physical inspections, tracking of pad and battery expiration dates, supply fulfillment when components expire, CPR training coordination, and state compliance registration management. Clients are sticky because the compliance liability never goes away and switching providers means re-documenting their entire AED inventory. A single operator can manage 200-500 AEDs across 50-150 client sites.

Revenue Range

Low End

$60K

Typical

$150K

High End

$400K

Pros

+Pads expire every 2 years without exception — 100% of clients renew on a known schedule
+Legal liability creates price insensitivity — clients cannot afford to let this lapse
+Extremely low physical labor — inspections are quick visual checks with minimal equipment
+Software-tracked compliance data becomes a switching cost that locks in clients

Cons

-Revenue per client site is modest — route density is essential for strong income
-Medical device registration and state AED laws vary and require careful compliance tracking
-Building access scheduling adds administrative overhead

Best For

Operators who want a recurring-revenue route business with minimal physical demands and strong client retention driven by compliance requirements

Operating Costs

At $300/AED/year and 500 managed units, annual revenue is $150K. Margin is high because the physical visit is short, supply markup on pads and batteries is 30-50%, and overhead is minimal (van, software, insurance). Net margins of 45-50% are achievable at scale. The strongest operators bundle CPR training to multiply revenue per client.