Analysis
NAICS 56131 is the 2022 NAICS industry for employment placement agencies and executive search services, part of 5613 (Employment Services). Census lists 37 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 13,576 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 368,130 people at an average annual payroll of $59,481 per employee (32nd percentile of national industries). 64% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 11% and employment rose 49%. 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.
Across its national industries Census lists 37 index entries; typical ones are babysitting bureaus (i.e., registries) and executive placement consulting services.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 56132, 56133, 54161 and 71141. 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.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 561311 (Employment Placement Agencies) with 7,679.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) listing employment vacancies and referring or placing applicants for employment; or (2) providing executive search, recruitment, and placement services.
Illustrative Examples:
Employment agencies Executive placement agencies or services Executive search services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Supplying their own employees for limited periods of time to supplement the working force of a client's business | 56132 Temporary Help Services |
| Providing human resources and human resource management services to client businesses and households | 56133 Professional Employer Organizations |
| Providing advice and assistance on human resource and personnel policies, practices, and procedures; and employee benefits and compensation systems | 54161 Management Consulting Services |
| Representing models, entertainers, athletes, and other public figures as their agent or manager | 71141 Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures |
Index entries (37)
- Babysitting bureaus (i.e., registries)
- Executive placement consulting services