Analysis
NAICS 541713 is the 2022 national industry for research and development in nanotechnology, part of 54171 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). Census lists 2 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 48% 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.
County Business Patterns counts 1,722 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 166,018 people at an average annual payroll of $153,565 per employee (97th percentile of national industries). 40% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 3rd of the 3 codes at this level within Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, with 8.5% of them.
Census lists 6 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 541714, 541715, 541940 and 541380. 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 nanobiotechnologies research and experimental development… and nanotechnology research and development laboratories or….
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting nanotechnology research and experimental development. Nanotechnology research and experimental development involves the study of matter at the nanoscale (i.e., a scale of about 1 to 100 nanometers). This research and development in nanotechnology may result in development of new nanotechnology processes or in prototypes of new or altered materials and/or products that may be reproduced, utilized, or implemented by various industries.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Conducting research and experimental development in biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology) | 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) |
| Conducting research and experimental development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) | 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) |
| Providing veterinary testing services | 541940 Veterinary Services |
| Providing physical, chemical, or other analytical testing services (except medical or veterinary), such as acoustics or vibration testing, calibration testing, electrical and electronic testing, geotechnical testing, mechanical testing, nondestructive testing, or thermal testing | 541380 Testing Laboratories and Services |
| Providing medical laboratory testing for humans | 621511 Medical Laboratories |
| Raising funds for health related research | 813212 Voluntary Health Organizations |
Index entries (2)
- Nanobiotechnologies research and experimental development laboratories
- Nanotechnology research and development laboratories or services, all fields of science