Analysis
NAICS 488410 is the 2022 national industry for motor vehicle towing, part of 48841 (Motor Vehicle Towing). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 10,566 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 73,320 people at an average annual payroll of $51,644 per employee (19th percentile of national industries). 61% 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 14% and employment rose 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include emergency road services (i.e., tow service), motor vehicle towing services, tow truck services and towing services, motor vehicle, among 5 in all.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 4571, 8111, 441330 and 561491. 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, operating gasoline stations are classified in 4571 (Gasoline Stations) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in towing light or heavy motor vehicles, both local and long-distance. These establishments may provide incidental services, such as storage and emergency road repair services.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Operating gasoline stations | 4571 Gasoline Stations |
| Providing automotive repair and maintenance | 8111 Automotive Repair and Maintenance |
| Both retailing automotive parts and accessories, and repairing automobiles | 441330 Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers |
| Repossessing motor vehicles | 561491 Repossession Services |
Index entries (5)
- Emergency road services (i.e., tow service)
- Motor vehicle towing services
- Tow truck services
- Towing services, motor vehicle
- Wrecker services (i.e., towing services), motor vehicle