Analysis
NAICS 238220 is the 2022 national industry for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors, part of 23822 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors). Census lists 77 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 111,207 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 1,214,761 people at an average annual payroll of $73,693 per employee (59th percentile of national industries). 58% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 238210, 561790, 238910 and 237110. 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 air system balancing and testing, air vent installation, air-conditioning system (except window) installation and bathroom plumbing fixture and sanitary ware installation, among 77 in all.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 7% and employment rose 14%. 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.
For example, installing electrical controls for HVAC systems are classified in 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in installing and servicing plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning equipment. Contractors in this industry may provide both parts and labor when performing work. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs.
Illustrative Examples:
Cooling tower installation Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractors Duct work (e.g., cooling, dust collection, exhaust, heating, ventilation) installation Lawn sprinkler system installation Fire sprinkler system installation Mechanical contractors Fireplace, natural gas, installation Refrigeration system (e.g., commercial, industrial, scientific) installation Furnace installation Sewer hookup and connection, building
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Installing electrical controls for HVAC systems | 238210 Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors |
| Duct cleaning | 561790 Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings |
| Installing septic tanks and systems | 238910 Site Preparation Contractors |
| Water well drilling (except water intake wells in oil and gas fields) and water well pump and piping system installation | 237110 Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction |
| Repair and maintenance of commercial refrigeration equipment or fire extinguisher and waterless fire suppression systems, without installation | 811310 Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance |
Index entries (77)
- Air system balancing and testing
- Air vent installation
- Air-conditioning system (except window) installation
- Bathroom plumbing fixture and sanitary ware installation
- Blower or fan, cooling and dry heating, installation
- Boiler chipping, cleaning and scaling
- Boiler, heating, installation
- Central air-conditioning equipment installation
- Central cooling equipment and piping installation
- Central heating equipment and piping installation
- Chilled water system installation
- Chimney liner installation
- Commercial freezer installation
- Commercial refrigeration system installation
- Cooling tower installation
- Drain, waste and vent system installation
- Drinking fountain installation
- Dry heating equipment installation
- Duct work (e.g., cooling, dust collection, exhaust, heating, ventilation) installation
- Dust collecting and bag house equipment installation
- Exhaust system (e.g., kitchens, industrial work areas) installation
- Fire extinguisher installation
- Fire extinguisher installation and repair
- Fire sprinkler system installation
- Fireplace, natural gas, installation
- Fuel oil burner installation
- Furnace conversion (i.e., from one fuel to another)
- Furnace humidifier installation
- Furnace installation
- Furnace, forced air, installation
- Gas fitting contractor
- Gas line installation, individual hookup, contractors
- Heat pump installation
- Heating and cooling duct work installation
- Heating and ventilation system component (e.g., air registers, diffusers, filters, grilles, sound attenuators) installation
- Heating boiler installation
- Heating contractors
- Heating equipment installation
- Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractors
- Hot water heating system installation