Analysis
NAICS 492110 is the 2022 national industry for couriers and express delivery services, part of 49211 (Couriers and Express Delivery Services). Census lists 4 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 10,859 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 1,036,160 people at an average annual payroll of $53,476 per employee (22nd percentile of national industries). 35% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 9% and employment rose 67%. 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 air courier services (except establishments operating under…, courier services (i.e., intercity network) (except…, express delivery services (except establishments operating… and local letter and parcel delivery services as part of….
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 491110, 492210 and 4841. 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 parcel and express delivery services in addition to mail services under a universal service obligation are classified in 491110 (Postal Service) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing air, surface, or combined mode courier and express delivery services of parcels, but not operating under a universal service obligation. These parcels can include goods and documents, but the express delivery services are not part of the normal mail service. These services are generally between metropolitan areas, urban centers, or international, but the establishments of this industry form a network that includes local pick-up and delivery to serve their customers' needs.
Illustrative Examples:
Air courier services, except establishments operating under a universal service obligation Express delivery services, except establishments operating under a universal service obligation Courier services (i.e., intercity network), except establishments operating under a universal service obligation
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing parcel and express delivery services in addition to mail services under a universal service obligation | 491110 Postal Service |
| Providing messenger and delivery services within a metropolitan area or within an urban center | 492210 Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
| Providing the truck transportation of palletized general freight | 4841 General Freight Trucking |
Index entries (4)
- Air courier services (except establishments operating under a universal service obligation)
- Courier services (i.e., intercity network) (except establishments operating under a universal service obligation)
- Express delivery services (except establishments operating under a universal service obligation)
- Local letter and parcel delivery services as part of intercity courier network