Analysis
NAICS 238 is the 2022 subsector for specialty trade contractors, part of 23 (Construction). Census lists 552 example activities under it in the official index.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 3 codes at this level within Construction, with 64% of them.
County Business Patterns counts 521,315 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 4,986,759 people at an average annual payroll of $71,571 per employee (55th percentile of national industries). 63% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 10% and employment rose 13%. 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 552 index entries; typical ones are chimney, concrete, construction, balcony, precast concrete, installation, building framing (except structural steel) and brick veneer, installation.
It splits into 4 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 2382 (Building Equipment Contractors) with 202,656.
Official definition
The Specialty Trade Contractors subsector comprises establishments whose primary activity is performing specific activities (e.g., pouring concrete, site preparation, plumbing, painting, and electrical work) involved in building construction or other activities that are similar for all types of construction, but that are not responsible for the entire project. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. The production work performed by establishments in this subsector is usually subcontracted from establishments of the general contractor type or for-sale builders, but especially in remodeling and repair construction, work also may be done directly for the owner of the property. Specialty trade contractors usually perform most of their work at the construction site, although they may have shops where they perform prefabrication and other work. Establishments primarily engaged in preparing sites for new construction are also included in this subsector.
There are substantial differences in types of equipment, work force skills, and other inputs required by specialty trade contractors. Establishments in this subsector are classified based on the underlying production function for the specialty trade in which they specialize. Throughout the Specialty Trade Contractors subsector, establishments commonly provide both the parts and labor required to complete work. For example, electrical contractors supply the current-carrying and noncurrent-carrying wiring devices that are required to install a circuit. Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors also supply the parts required to complete a contract.
Establishments that specialize in activities primarily related to heavy and civil engineering construction that are not normally performed on buildings, such as the painting of lines on highways, are classified in Subsector 237, Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.
Establishments that are primarily engaged in selling construction materials are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade, based on the characteristics of the selling unit.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (552)
- Chimney, concrete, construction
- Balcony, precast concrete, installation
- Building framing (except structural steel)
- Brick veneer, installation
- Curtain wall, glass, installation
- Asphalt roof shingle installation
- Aluminum siding installation
- Awning installation
- Airport runway lighting contractors
- Air system balancing and testing
- Antenna, household-type, installation
- Acoustical ceiling tile and panel installation
- Bridge painting
- Access flooring installation
- Ceramic tile installation
- Aluminum door and window, residential-type, installation
- Bathtub refinishing, on-site
- Aerial or picker truck, construction, rental with operator
- Artificial turf installation