Analysis
NAICS 541930 is the 2022 national industry for translation and interpretation services, part of 54193 (Translation and Interpretation Services). Census lists 7 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 2,801 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 41,495 people at an average annual payroll of $52,645 per employee (21st percentile of national industries). 80% 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 interpretation services, language, language interpretation services, language services (e.g., interpretation, sign, translation) and language translation services, among 7 in all.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 561410, 561492, 512191 and 541990. 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, providing transcription services are classified in 561410 (Document Preparation Services) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 4% and employment rose 10%. 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 translating written material and interpreting speech from one language to another and establishments primarily engaged in providing sign language services.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing transcription services | 561410 Document Preparation Services |
| Providing real-time (i.e., simultaneous) closed captioning services for live television performances, at meetings and conferences | 561492 Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
| Providing film or tape closed captioning services | 512191 Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services |
| Analyzing handwriting | 541990 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services |
Index entries (7)
- Interpretation services, language
- Language interpretation services
- Language services (e.g., interpretation, sign, translation)
- Language translation services
- Sign language services
- Speech (i.e., language) interpretation services
- Translation services, language