Analysis
NAICS 4881 is the 2022 industry group for support activities for air transportation, part of 488 (Support Activities for Transportation). Census lists 26 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 6,822 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 245,625 people at an average annual payroll of $53,140 per employee (22nd percentile of national industries). 42% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 11% and employment rose 17%. 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 26 index entries; typical ones are air traffic control services (except military), aircraft hangar rental and aircraft ferrying services.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 48819 (Other Support Activities for Air Transportation) with 4,237.
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services to the air transportation industry. These services include airport operation, servicing, repairing (except factory conversion and overhaul of aircraft), maintaining and storing aircraft, and ferrying aircraft.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (26)
- Air traffic control services (except military)
- Aircraft hangar rental
- Aircraft ferrying services