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NAICS 2022

483

Water Transportation

Analysis

NAICS 483 is the 2022 subsector for water transportation. Census lists 50 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 1,790 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 62,806 people at an average annual payroll of $108,243 per employee (88th percentile of national industries). 59% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.

Across its national industries Census lists 50 index entries; typical ones are deep sea freight transportation to or from foreign ports, cruise lines (i.e., deep sea passenger transportation to or…, barge transportation, coastal or Great Lakes (including St.… and coastal passenger transportation to and from domestic ports.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 9% and employment rose 2%. 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 4831 (Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation) with 1,098.

Official definition

Industries in the Water Transportation subsector provide water transportation of passengers and cargo using watercraft, such as ships, barges, and boats.

The subsector is composed of two industry groups: (1) one for deep sea, coastal, and Great Lakes water transportation; and (2) one for inland water transportation. This split typically reflects the difference in equipment used.

Scenic and sightseeing water transportation services are not included in this subsector but are included in Subsector 487, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation. Although these activities use watercraft, they are different from the activities included in water transportation. Water sightseeing does not usually involve place-to-place transportation; the passenger's trip starts and ends at the same location.

Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.

Index entries (50)

  • Deep sea freight transportation to or from foreign ports
  • Cruise lines (i.e., deep sea passenger transportation to or from foreign ports)
  • Barge transportation, coastal or Great Lakes (including St. Lawrence Seaway)
  • Coastal passenger transportation to and from domestic ports
  • Barge transportation, canal (freight)
  • Canal passenger transportation