Analysis
NAICS 4246 is the 2022 industry group for chemical and allied products merchant wholesalers, part of 424 (Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods). Census lists 94 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 11,364 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 168,556 people at an average annual payroll of $95,764 per employee (81st percentile of national industries). 48% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Across its national industries Census lists 94 index entries; typical ones are cellulose film merchant wholesalers and acids merchant wholesalers.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 8% 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.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 42469 (Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers) with 8,845.
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of chemicals, plastics materials and basic forms and shapes, and allied products.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (94)
- Cellulose film merchant wholesalers
- Acids merchant wholesalers