North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
Major Industry Sectors in the United States Structure
Click on Sector name for a brief description
11: AGRICULTURE	53: REAL ESTATE AND RENTAL AND LEASING
21: MINING	54: PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
22: UTILITIES	55: MANAGEMENT OF COMPANIES AND ENTERPRISES
23: CONSTRUCTION	56: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
31-33: MANUFACTURING	61: EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
42: WHOLESALE TRADE	62: HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
44-45: RETAIL TRADE	71: ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND RECREATION
48-49: TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING	72: ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES
51: INFORMATION	81: OTHER SERVICES, EXCEPT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
52: FINANCE AND INSURANCE	92: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
For more information on NAICS visit either the NAICS page for the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the NAICS site for the U.S. Census Bureau.
Note that the OES Survey program has not yet adopted the 2012 NAICS.
11 - AGRICULTURE
The Agriculture industry sector distinguishes two basic activities: agricultural production and agricultural support activities. The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey includes only the agricultural support portion of this sector. Agricultural support includes establishments that perform activities on a contract or fee basis such as soil preparation, planting, harvesting, and management. The OES data does not include data from companies in the agricultural production portion (farm or ranch operation, such as farm owner-operators, tenant farm operators, and sharecroppers).
Excluded also from the Agriculture sector are establishments primarily engaged in agricultural research and establishments primarily engaged in administering programs for regulating and conserving land, mineral, wildlife, and forest use. These establishments are classified in Industry 54, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences; and Industry 92, Public Administration of Conservation Programs, respectively.
21 - MINING
The Mining sector comprises establishments that extract naturally occurring mineral solids, such as coal and ores; liquid minerals, such as crude petroleum; and gases, such as natural gas. The term mining is used in the broad sense to include quarrying, well operations, beneficiating (e.g., crushing, screening, washing, and flotation), and other preparation customarily performed at the mine site, or as a part of mining activity.
The Mining sector distinguishes two basic activities: mine operation and mining support activities. Mine operation includes establishments operating mines, quarries, or oil and gas wells on their own account or for others on a contract or fee basis. Mining support activities include establishments that perform exploration (except geophysical surveying) and/or other mining services on a contract or fee basis.
A mine that manufactures a small amount of finished products will be classified in Sector 21, Mining. An establishment that mines whose primary output is a more finished manufactured product will be classified in Industries 31-33, Manufacturing.
22 - UTILITIES
The Utilities sector comprises establishments engaged in the provision of the following utility services: electric power, natural gas, steam supply, water supply, and sewage removal. Within this sector, the specific activities associated with the utility services provided vary by utility: electric power includes generation, transmission, and distribution; natural gas includes distribution; steam supply includes provision and/or distribution; water supply includes treatment and distribution; and sewage removal includes collection, treatment, and disposal of waste through sewer systems and sewage treatment facilities.
Excluded from this sector are establishments primarily engaged in waste management services classified in Industry 56, Waste Management and Remediation Services. These establishments also collect, treat, and dispose of waste materials; however, they do not use sewer systems or sewage treatment facilities.
23 - CONSTRUCTION
The construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects (e.g., highways and utility systems). This section includes Construction of Buildings, Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, and Specialty Trade Contractors. Establishments primarily engaged in the preparation of sites for new construction and establishments primarily engaged in subdividing land for sale as building sites also are included in this sector.
The installation and the ongoing repair and maintenance of telecommunications and utility networks are excluded from construction when the establishments performing the work are not independent contractors. Although a growing proportion of this work is subcontracted to independent contractors in the Construction Sector, the operating units of telecommunications and utility companies performing this work are included with the telecommunications or utility activities.
31-33 - MANUFACTURING
The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. The assembling of component parts of manufactured products is considered manufacturing.
In addition to traditional factories and plants, the manufacturing sector in some instances may include establishments engaged in selling to the general public products that were made on the same premises from which they are sold, such as bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors. Manufacturing establishments may process materials or may contract with other establishments to process their materials for them. Both types of establishments are included in manufacturing.
The following activities are also considered manufacturing in NAICS: milk bottling and pasteurizing; grinding of lenses to prescription; water bottling and processing; fresh fish packaging (oyster shucking, fish filleting); electroplating, plating, metal heat treating, and polishing for the trade; apparel jobbing (assigning of materials to other contract operations); contract factories for fabrication; lapidary work for the trade; fabricating signs and advertising displays; rebuilding or remanufacturing machinery and automotive engines; ready-mixed concrete production; machine shops; leather converting; tire retreading; and printing (though publishing and the combined activity of publishing and printing are in industry 51).
42 - WHOLESALE TRADE
The Wholesale Trade sector comprises establishments engaged in wholesaling merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. Such merchandise includes the outputs of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and certain information industries, such as publishing.
This sector comprises two main types of wholesalers: (a) merchant wholesalers that sell goods on their own account and (b) business to business electronic markets, agents, and brokers that arrange sales and purchases for others generally for a commission or fee. This includes the sale or arranging the purchase/sale of goods for resale to other wholesalers or retailers, capital or durable non-consumer goods, and raw materials and supplies used in production.
44-45 - RETAIL TRADE
The Retail Trade sector comprises establishments engaged in retailing merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise, generally in small quantities to the general public. This sector comprises two main types of retailers: store and non-store retailers (which includes those who reach customers with methods such as ''infomercials''; broadcasting/publishing direct-response advertising; publishing of paper and electronic catalogs; door-to-door solicitation; in-home demonstration; street vendors-except food; vending machines.
48-49 - TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING
The Transportation and Warehousing sector includes companies providing transportation of passengers and cargo (via air, rail, water, road, and pipeline); scenic and sightseeing transportation; courier services; warehousing services (without taking ownership and reselling as a wholesaler), and support activities related to modes of transportation, such as the routine repair and maintenance of transportation equipment (e.g., aircraft at an airport, railroad rolling stock at a railroad terminal, or ships at a harbor or port facility).
Excluded from this sector are establishments primarily engaged in (a) providing travel agent services that support transportation and other establishments, such as hotels, businesses, and government agencies (industry 56); (b) establishments primarily engaged in providing rental and leasing of transportation equipment without an operator (industry 53) and (c) establishments that primarily perform factory (or shipyard) overhauls, rebuilding, or conversions of aircraft, railroad rolling stock, or ships (industry 33).
51 - INFORMATION
The Information sector comprises establishments engaged in the following processes: (a) producing and distributing information and cultural products, (b) providing the means to transmit or distribute these products as well as data or communications, and (c) processing data.
The main components of this sector are the publishing industries (including software publishing and publishing exclusively on the Internet); the motion picture and sound recording industries; the broadcasting industries (including traditional broadcasting and those broadcasting exclusively over the Internet); the telecommunications industries; and industries known as internet service providers, web search portals, data processing industries, and the information services industries.
52 - FINANCE AND INSURANCE
The Finance and Insurance sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in financial transactions (transactions involving the creation, liquidation, or change in ownership of financial assets) and/or in facilitating financial transactions. Three principal types of activities are identified:
(a) Raising funds by taking deposits and/or issuing securities and, in the process, incurring liabilities. Establishments engaged in this activity use raised funds to acquire financial assets by making loans and/or purchasing securities. Putting themselves at risk, they channel funds from lenders to borrowers and transform or repackage the funds with respect to maturity, scale and risk. This activity is known as financial intermediation; (b) Pooling of risk by underwriting insurance and annuities. Establishments engaged in this activity collect fees, insurance premiums, or annuity considerations; build up reserves; invest those reserves; and make contractual payments. Fees are based on the expected incidence of the insured risk and the expected return on investment.
(c) Providing specialized services facilitating or supporting financial intermediation, insurance, and employee benefit programs.
In addition, legal entities that hold portfolios of assets on behalf of others are included in this sector.
53 - REAL ESTATE AND RENTAL AND LEASING
The Real Estate and Rental and Leasing sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in renting, leasing, or otherwise allowing the use of tangible or intangible assets, and establishments providing related services. The major portion of this sector comprises establishments that rent, lease, or otherwise allow the use of their own assets by others. This sector also includes establishments primarily engaged in managing real estate for others, selling, renting and/or buying real estate for others, and appraising real estate. Excluded from this sector are real estate investment trusts (REITS, which are considered investment vehicles and fall into industry 52).
54 - PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
This sector comprises establishments that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. The establishments in this sector specialize according to expertise and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; consulting services; research services; advertising services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; and veterinary services.
This sector excludes establishments primarily engaged in providing a range of day-to-day office administrative services, such as financial planning, billing and recordkeeping, personnel, and physical distribution and logistics. These establishments are classified in Industry 56 (Administrative & Support Services and Waste Management & Remediation Services).
55 - MANAGEMENT OF COMPANIES AND ENTERPRISES
The Management of Companies and Enterprises sector comprises (1) establishments that hold the securities of (or other equity interests in) companies and enterprises for the purpose of owning a controlling interest or influencing management decisions or (2) establishments (except government establishments) that administer, oversee, and manage establishments of the company or enterprise and that normally undertake the strategic or organizational planning and decision-making role of the company or enterprise. These establishments that administer, oversee, and manage may hold the securities of the company or enterprise.
Establishments primarily engaged in providing a range of day-to-day office administrative services, such as financial planning, billing and recordkeeping, personnel, and physical distribution and logistics are classified in Industry 56 (Administrative & Support Services and Waste Management & Remediation Services).
56-ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The Administrative & Support Services and Waste Management & Remediation Services sector comprises establishments performing routine support activities for the day-to-day operations of other organizations. These essential activities are often undertaken in-house by establishments in many sectors of the economy. The establishments in this sector specialize in one or more of these support activities and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: office administration; hiring and placing of personnel; document preparation and similar clerical services; solicitation, collection, security and surveillance services; cleaning services; and waste disposal services. The activities performed by establishments in this sector are typically on a contract or fee basis.
Establishments involved in administering, overseeing, and managing other establishments of the company or enterprise are classified in Industry 55 (Management of Companies and Enterprises). These establishments normally undertake the strategic and organizational planning and decision-making role of the company or enterprise.
61 - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
The Educational Services sector comprises establishments that provide instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects. This instruction and training is provided by specialized establishments, such as schools, colleges, universities, and training centers. These establishments may be privately owned and operated for profit or not for profit, or they may be publicly owned and operated. Instruction is imparted in diverse settings, such as educational institutions, the workplace, or the home through correspondence, television, or other means.
62 - HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
This sector comprises establishments providing health care and social assistance for individuals. The sector combines health care and social assistance because it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the boundaries of these two activities. The sector includes establishments providing medical care exclusively, those providing health care and social assistance, and those providing only social assistance.
Excluded from this sector are aerobic classes (Industry 71) and non-medical diet and weight reducing centers (Industry 81).
71 - ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND RECREATION
The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector includes a wide range of establishments that operate facilities or provide services to meet varied cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of their patrons. This sector comprises (1) establishments that are involved in producing, promoting, or participating in live performances, events, or exhibits intended for public viewing; (2) establishments that preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historical, cultural, or educational interest; and (3) establishments that operate facilities or provide services that enable patrons to participate in recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobby, and leisure time interests.
Some establishments that provide cultural, entertainment, or recreational facilities and services are excluded from this sector, including: (1) establishments that provide both accommodations and recreational facilities, such as hunting and fishing camps and resort and casino hotels (Industry 72, Accommodations and food Services); (2) restaurants and night clubs that provide live entertainment in addition to the sale of food and beverages (also Industry 72); (3) motion picture theaters, libraries and archives, and publishers of newspapers, magazines, books, periodicals, and computer software are classified in (Industry 51, Information); and (4) establishments using transportation equipment to provide recreational and entertainment services, such as those operating sightseeing buses, dinner cruises, or helicopter rides (Industry 48, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation).
72 - ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES
The Accommodation and Food Services sector comprises establishments providing customers with lodging and/or preparing meals, snacks, and beverages for immediate consumption. The "Accommodations" sector includes hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfast inns; casino hotels; RV camps, campgrounds and recreational camps; and rooming and boarding houses. The "Food Services" sector includes both full-service and limited-service restaurants; food service contractors; caterers; mobile food services; and drinking establishments.
Excluded from this sector are civic and social organizations; amusement and recreation parks; theaters; and other recreation or entertainment facilities providing food and beverage services.
81 - OTHER SERVICES, EXCEPT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
This sector includes establishments engaged in providing services not specifically provided for elsewhere in the classification system. Establishments in this sector include those primarily engaged in activities such as repair services; promoting or administering religious activities; grant-making services (scholarships and grants); membership organizations (civic, professional, political, as well as labor unions); advocacy services (human rights, environmental advocates, etc); personal services (hair, skin, weight loss); dry cleaning/laundry services; death care services; and miscellaneous services (pet care, photofinishing, parking lots/garages, dating services, etc.).
Excluded from this sector are retail or wholesale establishments who also perform repairs or general maintenance on that equipment. These establishments are classified in retail or wholesale trade.
92 - PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
The Public Administration sector consists of establishments of federal, state, and local government agencies that administer, oversee, and manage public programs and have executive, legislative, or judicial authority over other institutions within a given area.
For the purposes of the OES survey, government-owned and operated transportation and utility agencies are included in this sector. Examples of government-provided services that are not included in this sector include schools (Industry 61, Educational Services) and hospitals (Industry 62, Health and Social Services).
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For more information on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) visit either the NAICS page for the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the NAICS site for the U.S. Census Bureau.