Analysis
NAICS 541613 is the 2022 national industry for marketing consulting services, part of 54161 (Management Consulting Services). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 34% and employment rose 34%. 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 52,258 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 315,229 people at an average annual payroll of $83,009 per employee (72nd percentile of national industries). 84% 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 customer service management consulting services, marketing consulting services, marketing management consulting services and new product development consulting services, among 5 in all.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 541810, 541820, 541860 and 541910. 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, creating advertising campaigns and placing such advertising in media are classified in 541810 (Advertising Agencies) instead.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing operating advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations on marketing issues, such as developing marketing objectives and policies, sales forecasting, new product developing and pricing, licensing and franchise planning, and marketing planning and strategy.
Illustrative Examples:
Customer services management consulting services New product development consulting services Marketing management consulting services Sales management consulting services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Creating advertising campaigns and placing such advertising in media | 541810 Advertising Agencies |
| Developing and implementing public relations plans | 541820 Public Relations Agencies |
| Creating direct mail advertising campaigns | 541860 Direct Mail Advertising |
| Developing and conducting marketing research or public opinion polling | 541910 Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling |
Index entries (5)
- Customer service management consulting services
- Marketing consulting services
- Marketing management consulting services
- New product development consulting services
- Sales management consulting services