Analysis
NAICS 5411 is the 2022 industry group for legal services, part of 541 (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). Census lists 35 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 181,092 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 1,190,297 people at an average annual payroll of $120,985 per employee (91st percentile of national industries). 72% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Across its national industries Census lists 35 index entries; typical ones are attorneys' offices, settlement offices, real estate and jury consulting services.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 54111 (Offices of Lawyers) with 165,491.
Its more detailed codes are 54111 Offices of Lawyers (165,491 establishments), 54112 Offices of Notaries and 54119 Other Legal Services (15,601 establishments).
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 2% and employment rose 4%. 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.
Official definition
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in offering legal services, such as those offered by offices of lawyers, offices of notaries, and title abstract and settlement offices, and paralegal services.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (35)
- Attorneys' offices
- Settlement offices, real estate
- Jury consulting services