Analysis
NAICS 5122 is the 2022 industry group for sound recording industries, part of 512 (Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries). Census lists 32 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 24% and employment rose 10%. 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.
County Business Patterns counts 4,585 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 26,014 people at an average annual payroll of $127,509 per employee (93rd percentile of national industries). 84% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
By establishments it ranks 2nd of the 2 codes at this level within Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, with 15.2% of them.
Across its national industries Census lists 32 index entries; typical ones are music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers, audio recording postproduction services, integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting… and audio recording of meetings or conferences.
It splits into 4 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 51224 (Sound Recording Studios) with 2,131.
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in producing and distributing musical recordings, publishing music, or providing sound recording and related services.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (32)
- Music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers
- Audio recording postproduction services
- Integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting, distributing)
- Audio recording of meetings or conferences