238310

Analysis

NAICS 238310 is the 2022 national industry for drywall and insulation contractors, part of 23831 (Drywall and Insulation Contractors). Census lists 36 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 20,760 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 250,758 people at an average annual payroll of $66,624 per employee (46th percentile of national industries). 61% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.

Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include acoustical ceiling tile and panel installation, acoustical foam (i.e., sound barrier) installation, attic space insulating and blown-in insulation (e.g., cellulose, vermiculite)…, among 36 in all.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 8% and employment fell 4%. 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, applying stucco are classified in 238140 (Masonry Contractors) instead.

Census lists 2 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 238140 and 238290. 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.