The average salary for a small business owner can vary widely depending on several factors. However, according to PayScale, the average small business owner can generally earn around $60,315 per year. The overall range for small business owner salary is from around $28,000 to $127,000. Unlike jobs where you work for a company, though, the amount you make as a successful business owner can change each year, so it's important to understand accounting and bookkeeping to ensure your finances are in order and support yourself and your business.