Analysis
NAICS 4884 is the 2022 industry group for support activities for road transportation, part of 488 (Support Activities for Transportation). Census lists 20 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 14,137 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 109,993 people at an average annual payroll of $49,297 per employee (17th percentile of national industries). 62% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 12% and employment rose 5%. 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 20 index entries; typical ones are emergency road services (i.e., tow service) and bridge, tunnel, and highway operations.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 48841 (Motor Vehicle Towing) with 10,566.
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) towing light or heavy motor vehicles, both local and long-distance, or (2) providing other services to road network users.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (20)
- Emergency road services (i.e., tow service)
- Bridge, tunnel, and highway operations