512240

Analysis

NAICS 512240 is the 2022 national industry for sound recording studios, part of 51224 (Sound Recording Studios). Census lists 4 example activities under it in the official index.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 13% and employment rose 14%. 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 2,131 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 6,596 people at an average annual payroll of $72,880 per employee (56th percentile of national industries). 87% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.

Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include audio recording postproduction services, audio recording restoration services, recording studios, sound, operating on a contract or fee… and sound recording studios (except integrated record companies).

For example, record production and/or releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings are classified in 512250 (Record Production and Distribution) instead.

Census lists 2 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 512250 and 334610. 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.