Analysis
NAICS 512230 is the 2022 national industry for music publishers, part of 51223 (Music Publishers). Census lists 11 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 833 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 5,355 people at an average annual payroll of $111,717 per employee (89th percentile of national industries). 82% 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 fell 3%. 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 music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers, music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers and…, music copyright authorizing use and music copyright buying and licensing, among 11 in all.
For example, businesses primarily engaged as independent songwriters who act as their own publishers are classified in 711510 (Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers) instead.
Census lists 1 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 711510. 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.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acquiring and registering copyrights for musical compositions in accordance with law and promoting and authorizing the use of these compositions in recordings, radio, television, motion pictures, live performances, print, or other media. Establishments in this industry represent the interests of the songwriter or other owners of musical compositions to produce revenues from the use of such works, generally through licensing agreements. These establishments may own the copyright or act as administrator of the music copyrights on behalf of copyright owners. Publishers of music books and sheet music are included in this industry.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Establishments primarily engaged as independent songwriters who act as their own publishers | 711510 Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers |
Index entries (11)
- Music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers
- Music book (i.e., bound sheet music) publishers and printing combined
- Music copyright authorizing use
- Music copyright buying and licensing
- Music publishers
- Music, sheet, publishers and printing combined
- Publishers, music
- Sheet music publishers
- Sheet music publishers and printing combined
- Song publishers
- Song publishers and printing combined