Analysis
NAICS 5616 is the 2022 industry group for investigation and security services, part of 561 (Administrative and Support Services). Census lists 37 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 26,992 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 1,011,407 people at an average annual payroll of $38,410 per employee (8th percentile of national industries). 47% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Across its national industries Census lists 37 index entries; typical ones are background check services, body guard services, armored car services and alarm system monitoring services.
It splits into 2 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 56161 (Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services) with 15,880.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 6% and employment rose 2%. 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 group comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) investigation, guard, and armored car services; (2) selling security systems, such as burglar and fire alarms and locking devices, along with installation, repair, or monitoring services; or (3) remote monitoring of electronic security alarm systems.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (37)
- Background check services
- Body guard services
- Armored car services
- Alarm system monitoring services
- Lock rekeying services