4234

Analysis

NAICS 4234 is the 2022 industry group for professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers, part of 423 (Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods). Census lists 204 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 29,863 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 670,408 people at an average annual payroll of $117,516 per employee (90th percentile of national industries). 54% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 16% and employment rose 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.

Across its national industries Census lists 204 index entries; typical ones are camcorders (except household-type) merchant wholesalers, accounting machines merchant wholesalers, computer boards, loaded, merchant wholesalers and balances and scales (except laboratory) merchant wholesalers.

It splits into 7 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 42345 (Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers) with 10,296.

Its more detailed codes are 42341 Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (485 establishments), 42342 Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (5,377 establishments), 42343 Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers (6,677 establishments), 42344 Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (3,637 establishments), 42345 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (10,296 establishments) and 42346 Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (999 establishments) and 1 more.