541940

Analysis

NAICS 541940 is the 2022 national industry for veterinary services, part of 54194 (Veterinary Services). Census lists 21 example activities under it in the official index.

County Business Patterns counts 34,296 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 475,106 people at an average annual payroll of $52,978 per employee (21st percentile of national industries). 28% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.

Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include animal hospitals, disease testing services, veterinary, hospitals, animal and internists' offices, veterinary, among 21 in all.

Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 8% 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.

Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 54171, 812910, 115210 and 485991. 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 veterinary research and development services are classified in 54171 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) instead.