488310

Analysis

NAICS 488310 is the 2022 national industry for port and harbor operations, part of 48831 (Port and Harbor Operations). Census lists 11 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 326 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 13,933 people at an average annual payroll of $76,503 per employee (64th percentile of national industries). 38% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.

Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include canal maintenance services (except dredging), canal operation, docking facility operations and harbor maintenance services (except dredging), among 11 in all.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 8% and employment rose 25%. 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.

Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 488320, 488330 and 713930. 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.

For example, providing stevedoring and other marine cargo handling services (except warehousing) are classified in 488320 (Marine Cargo Handling) instead.