Analysis
NAICS 237130 is the 2022 national industry for power and communication line and related structures construction, part of 23713 (Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction). Census lists 30 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 7,112 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 292,604 people at an average annual payroll of $90,207 per employee (78th percentile of national industries). 38% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 15% and employment rose 29%. 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.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 237990, 236220, 238210 and 238910. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include alternative energy (e.g., geothermal, ocean wave, solar…, cable laying (e.g., fiber optic, electricity, marine…, cellular phone tower construction and co-generation plant construction, among 30 in all.
For example, constructing hydroelectric generating facilities are classified in 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of power lines and towers, power plants, and radio, television, and telecommunications transmitting/receiving towers. The work performed may include new work, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repairs. Specialty trade contractors are included in this industry if they are engaged in activities primarily related to power and communication line and related structures construction. All structures (including buildings) that are integral parts of power and communication networks (e.g., transmitting towers, substations, and power plants) are included.
Illustrative Examples:
Alternative energy (e.g., geothermal, ocean wave, solar, wind) structure construction Power line stringing Cellular phone tower construction Radio transmitting tower construction Co-generation plant construction Satellite receiving station construction Communication tower construction Nuclear power plant construction Telephone line stringing Electric light and power plant (except hydroelectric) construction Transformer station and substation, electric power, construction Electric power transmission line and tower construction Underground cable (e.g., fiber optic, electricity, telephone, cable television) laying
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Constructing hydroelectric generating facilities | 237990 Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction |
| Constructing broadcast studios and similar nonresidential buildings | 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction |
| Performing electrical work within buildings | 238210 Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors |
| Line slashing or cutting (except maintenance) | 238910 Site Preparation Contractors |
| Installing and maintaining communication transmission lines and towers performed by telecommunications companies | 517 Telecommunications |
| Installing and maintaining electric power lines and towers performed by electric utility companies | 2211 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution |
| Locating underground utility lines prior to digging | 561990 All Other Support Services |
| Tree and brush trimming for overhead utility lines | 561730 Landscaping Services |
Index entries (30)
- Alternative energy (e.g., geothermal, ocean wave, solar, wind) structure construction
- Cable laying (e.g., fiber optic, electricity, marine, telephone, cable television), including underground
- Cellular phone tower construction
- Co-generation plant construction
- Communication antenna construction
- Communication tower construction
- Construction management, power and communication transmission line
- Electric light and power plant (except hydroelectric) construction
- Electric power transmission line and tower construction
- Electricity generating plant (except hydroelectric) construction
- Fiber optic cable transmission line construction
- Microwave relay tower construction
- Nuclear power plant construction
- Pole line construction
- Power line stringing
- Power plant (except hydroelectric) construction
- Radio transmitting tower construction
- Satellite receiving station construction
- Solar power structure construction
- Substation and switching station, power transmission line, construction
- Telephone line construction
- Telephone line stringing
- Television transmitting tower construction
- Thermal power plant construction
- Tower, power distribution and communication, construction
- Transformer station and substation, electric power, construction
- Transmission and distribution line construction
- Underground cable (e.g., fiber optic, electricity, telephone, cable television) laying
- Utility line (i.e., communication, electric power), construction
- Wind power structure construction