NAICS 2022 · in 54171
541715
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Analysis
NAICS 541715 is the 2022 national industry for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology), part of 54171 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). Census lists 33 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 31% and employment rose 25%. 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 12,929 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 596,332 people at an average annual payroll of $147,945 per employee (97th percentile of national industries). 51% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 3 codes at this level within Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, with 63.6% of them.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 541713, 541714, 541380 and 541420. 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 aerospace research and development (except prototype…, agriculture research and development laboratories or…, artificial intelligence research and development… and bacteriological research and development laboratories or…, among 33 in all.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Conducting research and experimental development in nanotechnology | 541713 Research and Development in Nanotechnology |
| Conducting research and experimental development in biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology) | 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) |
| 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 |
| Creating and developing industrial designs and specifications that optimize the use, value, and appearance of automobiles, furniture, and other products | 541420 Industrial Design 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 |
| Laboratory animal production (e.g., guinea pigs, mice, rats) | 112990 All Other Animal Production |
Index entries (33)
- Aerospace research and development (except prototype production)
- Agriculture research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Artificial intelligence research and development laboratories or services
- Bacteriological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Biology research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Botany research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Chemical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Computer and related hardware research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Dental research and development laboratories or services
- Electronic research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Engineering research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Entomological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Environmental research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Experimental farms
- Fisheries research and development laboratories or services
- Food research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Forestry research and development laboratories or services
- Genetics research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Geological research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Guided missile and space vehicle engine research and development
- Guided missile and space vehicle parts (except engines) research and development
- Health research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Industrial research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Life sciences research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Mathematics research and development laboratories or services
- Medical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Observatories, research institutions
- Oceanographic research and development laboratories or services
- Photonics research and development services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Physical science research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Physics research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Robotics research and development laboratories or services
- Veterinary research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)