Analysis
NAICS 332710 is the 2022 national industry for machine shops, part of 33271 (Machine Shops). Census lists 3 example activities under it in the official index.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 332721, 332722, 332119 and 332313. 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.
County Business Patterns counts 17,156 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 223,313 people at an average annual payroll of $63,715 per employee (40th percentile of national industries). 46% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include automotive machine shops, chemical milling job shops and machine shops.
For example, machining precision products, known as precision turned manufacturers are classified in 332721 (Precision Turned Product Manufacturing) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 6% and employment fell 5%. 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.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments known as machine shops primarily engaged in machining metal and plastic parts and parts of other composite materials on a job or order basis. Generally machine shop jobs are low volume using machine tools, such as lathes (including computer numerically controlled); automatic screw machines; and machines for boring, grinding, milling, and additive manufacturing.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Machining precision products, known as precision turned manufacturers | 332721 Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
| Manufacturing metal bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, washers, and other industrial fasteners using machines, such as headers, threaders, and nut forming machines | 332722 Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing |
| Manufacturing stampings (except motor vehicle) | 332119 Metal Crown, Closure, and Other Metal Stamping (except Automotive) |
| Manufacturing weldments and fabricated metal plate products | 332313 Plate Work Manufacturing |
| Coating, engraving, and heat treating metals and metal formed products fabricated elsewhere | 33281 Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities |
| Manufacturing foundry patterns | 332999 All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing |
| Manufacturing motor vehicle stampings | 336370 Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping |
| Repairing industrial machinery and equipment | 811310 Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance |
Index entries (3)
- Automotive machine shops
- Chemical milling job shops
- Machine shops