4237

Analysis

NAICS 4237 is the 2022 industry group for hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers, part of 423 (Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods). Census lists 96 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 20,116 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 291,227 people at an average annual payroll of $85,731 per employee (74th percentile of national industries). 39% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.

Across its national industries Census lists 96 index entries; typical ones are appliance hardware merchant wholesalers, bathtubs merchant wholesalers, air pollution control equipment and supplies merchant… and beverage coolers, mechanical, merchant wholesalers.

It splits into 4 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 42373 (Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers) with 6,477.

Its more detailed codes are 42371 Hardware Merchant Wholesalers (5,967 establishments), 42372 Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers (6,410 establishments), 42373 Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (6,477 establishments) and 42374 Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (1,262 establishments).

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 3% and employment rose 15%. 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.