488330

Analysis

NAICS 488330 is the 2022 national industry for navigational services to shipping, part of 48833 (Navigational Services to Shipping). Census lists 8 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 1,065 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 12,850 people at an average annual payroll of $98,763 per employee (83rd percentile of national industries). 63% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.

Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include cargo salvaging, marine, docking and undocking marine vessel services, harbor tugboat services and marine salvaging services, among 8 in all.

For example, providing barge transportation and towing services on inland waters are classified in 483211 (Inland Water Freight Transportation) instead.

Census lists 2 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 483211 and 483113. 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.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 4% and employment fell 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.