Analysis
NAICS 541714 is the 2022 national industry for research and development in biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology), part of 54171 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). Census lists 20 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 53% and employment rose 102%. 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 5,670 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 194,991 people at an average annual payroll of $184,984 per employee (99th percentile of national industries). 52% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 541713, 541715, 541380 and 541940. 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 biotechnology research and development laboratories or…, biotechnology research and development laboratories or…, biotechnology research and development laboratories or… and biotechnology research and development laboratories or…, among 20 in all.
For example, conducting research and experimental development in nanotechnology (e.g., nanobiotechnology) are classified in 541713 (Research and Development in Nanotechnology) instead.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology) research and experimental development. Biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology) research and experimental development involves the study of the use of microorganisms and cellular and biomolecular processes to develop or alter living or non-living materials. This research and development in biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology) may result in development of new biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology) processes or in prototypes of new or genetically-altered products that may be reproduced, utilized, or implemented by various industries.
Illustrative Examples:
Cloning research and experimental development laboratories DNA technologies (e.g., microarrays) research and experimental development laboratories Nucleic acid chemistry research and experimental development laboratories Protein engineering research and experimental development laboratories Recombinant DNA research and experimental development laboratories
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Conducting research and experimental development in nanotechnology (e.g., nanobiotechnology) | 541713 Research and Development in Nanotechnology |
| 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 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 veterinary testing services | 541940 Veterinary Services |
| Providing medical laboratory testing for humans | 621511 Medical Laboratories |
| Raising funds for health related research | 813212 Voluntary Health Organizations |
| Manufacturing vaccines, toxoids, blood fractions, and culture media of plant or animal origin (except diagnostic use) | 325414 Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing |
| Manufacturing uncompounded medicinal chemicals and their derivatives (i.e., enzyme proteins and antibiotics for pharmaceutical use) | 325411 Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing |
Index entries (20)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in agriculture (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in bacteriology (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in biology (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in botany (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in chemical sciences (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in entomology (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in environmental science (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in food science (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in genetics (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in health sciences (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in industrial research (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in the medical sciences (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in the physical sciences (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Biotechnology research and development laboratories or services in the veterinary sciences (except nanobiotechnology research and development)
- Cloning research and experimental development laboratories
- DNA technologies (e.g., microarrays) research and experimental development laboratories
- Nucleic acid chemistry research and experimental development laboratories
- Protein engineering research and experimental development laboratories
- Recombinant DNA research and experimental development laboratories