Analysis
NAICS 541620 is the 2022 national industry for environmental consulting services, part of 54162 (Environmental Consulting Services). Census lists 6 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 9,696 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 88,934 people at an average annual payroll of $85,025 per employee (73rd percentile of national industries). 63% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 562910, 541330, 541380 and 813312. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include ecological restoration consulting services, environmental consulting services, environmental reclamation planning services and sanitation consulting services, among 6 in all.
For example, environmental remediation are classified in 562910 (Remediation Services) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 3% and employment rose 2%. 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 comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations on environmental issues, such as the control of environmental contamination from pollutants, toxic substances, and hazardous materials. These establishments identify problems (e.g., inspect buildings for hazardous materials), measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions. They employ a multidisciplined staff of scientists, engineers, and other technicians with expertise in areas, such as air and water quality, asbestos contamination, remediation, ecological restoration, and environmental law. Establishments providing sanitation or site remediation consulting services are included in this industry.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Environmental remediation | 562910 Remediation Services |
| Providing environmental engineering services | 541330 Engineering Services |
| Providing environmental testing services | 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services |
| Promoting the preservation and protection of the environment | 813312 Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations |
| Government establishments primarily engaged in administering, overseeing, and managing governmental ecological restoration programs | 924110 Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs |
Index entries (6)
- Ecological restoration consulting services
- Environmental consulting services
- Environmental reclamation planning services
- Sanitation consulting services
- Site remediation consulting services
- Wetland restoration planning services