Analysis
NAICS 21311 is the 2022 NAICS industry for support activities for mining, part of 2131 (Support Activities for Mining). Census lists 146 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 12,034 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 288,339 people at an average annual payroll of $103,587 per employee (86th percentile of national industries). 51% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 54136, 212, 211 and 23712. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 11% and employment fell 12%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Across its national industries Census lists 146 index entries; typical ones are directional drilling of oil and gas wells on a contract…, acidizing oil and gas field wells on a contract basis, anthracite mine tunneling on a contract basis and blasting services, metal mining, on a contract basis.
It splits into 5 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 213112 (Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations) with 9,627.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing support services, on a contract or fee basis (except geophysical surveying and mapping, mine site preparation, construction, and transportation activities), required for the mining and quarrying of minerals and for the extraction of oil and gas. Drilling, taking core samples, and making geological observations at prospective sites for minerals, on a contract or fee basis, are included in this industry.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Performing geophysical surveying and mapping services for minerals (i.e., coal, metal ores, oil and gas, and nonmetallic minerals) on a contract or fee basis | 54136 Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services |
| Mining, quarrying, and/or beneficiating on a contract or fee basis | 212 Mining (except Oil and Gas), based on the mineral mined |
| Operating oil and gas field properties on a contract or fee basis | 211 Oil and Gas Extraction, based on the primary activity |
| Oil and gas pipeline and related structures construction and repair | 23712 Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction |
| Inspecting pipelines (i.e., visual) | 54199 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services |
| Site preparation and related construction activities on a contract or fee basis | 23891 Site Preparation Contractors |
| Mining machinery and equipment repair and maintenance | 81131 Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance |
| Providing landman services on a contract or fee basis | 53139 Other Activities Related to Real Estate |
Index entries (146)
- Directional drilling of oil and gas wells on a contract basis
- Acidizing oil and gas field wells on a contract basis
- Anthracite mine tunneling on a contract basis
- Blasting services, metal mining, on a contract basis
- Blasting services, nonmetallic minerals mining (except fuels) on a contract basis