Analysis
NAICS 423490 is the 2022 national industry for other professional equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers, part of 42349 (Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers). Census lists 27 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 2,392 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 44,956 people at an average annual payroll of $100,811 per employee (84th percentile of national industries). 54% 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 423460, 423450, 423940 and 424920. 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 analytical instruments (e.g., chromatographic, photometers…, architects' equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers, balances and scales, laboratory (except dental, medical)… and barometers merchant wholesalers, among 27 in all.
For example, merchant wholesale distribution of professional equipment, instruments, and/or goods sold, prescribed, or used by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, such as ophthalmic frames and lenses, and sunglasses are classified in 423460 (Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 5% and employment rose 22%. 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 primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of professional equipment and supplies (except ophthalmic goods and medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies).
Illustrative Examples:
Church supplies (except silverware, plated ware) merchant wholesalers School equipment and supplies (except books, furniture) merchant wholesalers Drafting tables and instruments merchant wholesalers Scientific instruments merchant wholesalers Laboratory equipment (except medical, dental) merchant wholesalers Surveying equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Merchant wholesale distribution of professional equipment, instruments, and/or goods sold, prescribed, or used by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, such as ophthalmic frames and lenses, and sunglasses | 423460 Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of professional medical equipment, instruments, and supplies used by medical and dental practitioners (except ophthalmic equipment, instruments, and goods used by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians) and medical facilities | 423450 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of silverware and plated flatware | 423940 Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of books | 424920 Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of school furniture | 423210 Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (27)
- Analytical instruments (e.g., chromatographic, photometers, spectrographs) merchant wholesalers
- Architects' equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
- Balances and scales, laboratory (except dental, medical), merchant wholesalers
- Barometers merchant wholesalers
- Blackboards merchant wholesalers
- Chemical and technical pottery products merchant wholesalers
- Church supplies (except plated ware, silverware) merchant wholesalers
- Drafting instruments merchant wholesalers
- Drafting tables merchant wholesalers
- Engineers' equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
- Instruments, professional and scientific, merchant wholesalers
- Laboratory equipment (except dental, medical, ophthalmic) merchant wholesalers
- Professional equipment and supplies (except dental, medical, ophthalmic) merchant wholesalers
- Professional furniture (except dental, metal, ophthalmic, and school) merchant wholesalers
- Professional instruments merchant wholesalers
- Religious supplies merchant wholesalers
- Scales, laboratory (except dental and medical), merchant wholesalers
- School equipment and supplies (except books, furniture) merchant wholesalers
- Scientific instruments merchant wholesalers
- Scientific laboratory equipment merchant wholesalers
- Smartboards merchant wholesalers
- Statuary, religious, merchant wholesalers
- Surveying equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
- Teaching machines (except computers), electronic, merchant wholesalers
- Vestments, religious, merchant wholesalers
- Veterinarians' equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
- Wall maps merchant wholesalers