What is the NAICS code for construction?
Construction is NAICS Sector 23. The main construction subsectors are 236 for Construction of Buildings, 237 for Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, and 238 for Specialty Trade Contractors.
NAICS Code for Construction
Construction is classified in NAICS Sector 23. The sector is divided primarily among 236, Construction of Buildings, 237, Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, and 238, Specialty Trade Contractors. The correct classification depends on the establishment's primary activity and the type of construction responsibility it performs.
There is no single six-digit NAICS code for every construction business. A company name, contractor license, or the use of the word contractor does not determine the code by itself. A business that builds complete structures, performs infrastructure work, or carries out one construction trade can belong in different parts of Sector 23 even when each business describes itself as a contractor.
The central classification question is whether the establishment is primarily responsible for complete building projects, heavy or civil engineering projects, or a specific construction trade. That distinction usually separates 236, 237, and 238.
Find a starting six-digit construction code
Choose the establishment's primary construction responsibility. The codes that appear are starting points, not a complete list. Confirm the official industry definition and neighboring exclusions before assigning a code.
Landscaping is generally classified outside Sector 23. Mixed activities should be resolved by primary activity, not by the longest service list. See the common six-digit table and the classification process for the fuller method.
How construction is divided among NAICS 236, 237, and 238
Sector 23 covers construction of buildings, engineering projects such as highways and utility systems, and specialty trade work. These activities can occur on the same project, but the establishments performing them may have different NAICS classifications.
| Construction activity | Start with | Common specific codes | Classification boundary to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential building construction | 23611 | 236115 single-family, 236116 multifamily, 236118 residential remodelers | Use a building-construction code when the establishment is responsible for the complete building project or a major remodeling project. A business performing only one trade generally belongs in the applicable 238 industry. |
| Commercial, institutional, or industrial building construction | 2362 | 236210 industrial buildings, 236220 commercial and institutional buildings | The complete building project belongs in 236. Electrical, plumbing, roofing, flooring, and other trade contractors working on the project are generally classified by their trade. |
| Highway, street, and bridge construction | 2373 | 237310 highway, street, and bridge construction | This is heavy and civil engineering construction. The business does not move to 238 simply because it is described as a specialty contractor or subcontractor. |
| Utility system construction | 2371 | 237110 water and sewer lines, 237130 power and communication lines | Utility-system and utility-line construction is generally classified in 237. Building electrical wiring is a different activity and commonly falls under 238210. |
| Electrical contracting | 238210 | 238210 electrical contractors and wiring installation contractors | Electrical wiring and installation in buildings commonly fit 238210. Construction of power or communication lines can instead fall under 237130. |
| Plumbing and HVAC contracting | 238220 | 238220 plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors | Building plumbing and HVAC work generally fits 238220. Water and sewer line construction can instead fall under 237110. |
| Roofing contracting | 238160 | 238160 roofing contractors | A roofing trade contractor generally fits 238160. A general contractor responsible for the complete building project is classified according to the building project rather than the roofing trade. |
| Site preparation | 238910 | 238910 site preparation contractors | Excavation, demolition, and land clearing performed as site preparation commonly fit 238910. Responsibility for a complete heavy or civil engineering project can point instead to 237. |
Classify the establishment by its primary construction responsibility
Construction businesses often list many services on their websites. NAICS classification should not be based on the longest service list or the broadest description of what the company is capable of doing.
1
Identify what the establishment is primarily responsible for delivering
Determine whether it is responsible for a complete building project, a heavy or civil engineering project, or a specific trade.
2
Choose the appropriate construction subsector
Start with 236 for buildings, 237 for heavy and civil engineering construction, or 238 for specialty trade contracting.
3
Narrow to the most specific applicable U.S. industry
Review the six-digit definitions and neighboring industries before selecting the code.
4
Resolve mixed activities by primary activity
When several activities are performed, identify the establishment's primary activity using the classification methodology appropriate to the purpose. Revenue can be useful evidence, but it is not an automatic universal rule.
5
Check exclusions before using a broad residual code
A nearby specific industry may fit better than a general or other category.
There is no universal 51 percent revenue rule for assigning a NAICS code. The 2022 NAICS Manual describes measures tied to production, such as relative production costs and capital investment, as preferred conceptual measures for identifying the principal activity. Revenue, shipments, employment, and other available measures may be used as practical proxies when the preferred measures are not available.
A construction contractor is not automatically classified in NAICS 238
NAICS 238 is the Specialty Trade Contractors subsector, but the word contractor is used throughout the construction economy. Contractors responsible for highways, utility systems, pipelines, and other heavy or civil engineering projects can fall under 237. Contractors responsible for complete building projects can fall under 236.
The role label contractor is not the classification rule. The primary economic activity and type of project responsibility determine the NAICS classification. For the broader real-world query covering contractors inside and outside Sector 23, see NAICS Code for Contractors.
236, 237, and 238 represent different types of construction activity
NAICS 236: Construction of Buildings
This subsector covers establishments primarily responsible for constructing buildings and for major building additions, alterations, and remodeling projects. Common areas include residential building construction and nonresidential building construction.
NAICS 237: Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
This subsector covers establishments primarily responsible for engineering projects such as utility systems, highways, bridges, and other nonbuilding construction. Some specialty contractors belong in 237 because NAICS follows the project activity rather than the contractor label.
NAICS 238: Specialty Trade Contractors
This subsector covers establishments primarily engaged in specific construction activities such as electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, drywall, painting, flooring, concrete work, and site preparation. These establishments generally perform part of a construction project rather than assuming responsibility for the complete project.
Construction classifications that are commonly confused
| Classification question | Usually applies when | Boundary to check |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor vs. specialty trade contractor | 236 often applies when the establishment is responsible for the complete building project. 238 generally applies when the establishment performs one construction trade. | The distinction is based on project responsibility and primary activity, not simply whether the business uses the terms contractor, subcontractor, or general contractor. |
| Heavy or civil contractor vs. specialty trade contractor | 237 applies to engineering projects such as highways and utility systems. 238 applies to trade-specific activities used across construction projects. | A contractor can be specialized and still belong in 237 when its primary activity is a 237-type project. |
| Building electrical work vs. power-line construction | Building wiring and related installation commonly fit 238210. Power and communication line construction can fit 237130. | Both involve electrical infrastructure, but the project type and activity are different. |
| Residential remodeler vs. single-trade contractor | 236118 can apply when an establishment is responsible for residential remodeling projects involving multiple construction activities. | A business primarily performing one trade within remodeling projects is generally classified in the applicable 238 trade industry. |
| Construction project management vs. management consulting | Construction project management is classified according to the type of construction project being managed. | Providing management advice without assuming construction project-management responsibility is a different activity and should be evaluated outside the construction classification before a code is assigned. |
| For-sale builder vs. property owner or lessor | For-sale builders that produce buildings as a construction activity can be classified in 236. | Owning or leasing completed real estate is a real-estate activity rather than construction merely because the owner previously developed the property. |
| Construction vs. landscaping | Landscaping services are generally classified outside Sector 23. | Property improvement does not automatically mean construction. Review the NAICS Code for Landscaping when landscaping is the primary activity. |
| Prefabricated building manufacturing vs. construction | On-site construction responsibility can fall in Sector 23, while manufacturing prefabricated buildings is classified in Manufacturing based on the primary material. | Do not classify a manufacturer as Construction solely because it also assembles or erects the prefabricated building at the customer's site. |
| Force-account construction vs. a construction establishment | A non-construction enterprise can perform construction for its own account using its own employees. | That activity is not automatically part of Sector 23 unless the construction work is the primary activity of a separate establishment of the enterprise. |
| Utility or telecommunications company crews vs. independent construction contractors | Independent contractors constructing or maintaining utility and telecommunications networks can fall in Sector 23. | Operating units of utility or telecommunications companies performing the work with their own employees remain classified with the utility or telecommunications activity rather than Construction. |
Construction project management follows the type of project being managed
Construction management is not a single stand-alone construction code. Under the 2022 NAICS construction framework, construction managers that provide project oversight and scheduling as well as construction managers responsible for the entire project are included with general-contractor-type establishments. The type of construction project then determines where the activity belongs.
Building-project construction management can fall within 236, while management of heavy and civil engineering projects can fall within 237. This is different from a firm that provides management advice but does not manage a construction project. The actual contracted responsibility and primary activity should be reviewed before assigning the code.
Common six-digit NAICS codes used in construction
These are common starting points, not substitutes for reviewing the official industry definition and exclusions.
| NAICS code | Industry | Typical construction activity |
|---|---|---|
| 236115 | New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) | New single-family houses built for others under contract. |
| 236116 | New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) | New multifamily residential buildings built for others under contract. |
| 236118 | Residential Remodelers | Residential remodeling projects involving responsibility for the overall remodeling project. |
| 236210 | Industrial Building Construction | Industrial buildings and related complete building projects. |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and institutional buildings and related complete projects. |
| 237110 | Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction | Water and sewer lines and related utility structures. |
| 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | Power, communication, and related utility-line construction. |
| 237310 | Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | Highways, streets, bridges, and related transportation infrastructure. |
| 237990 | Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | Heavy and civil engineering projects not classified in another 237 industry, including certain marine and other specialized civil projects. |
| 238160 | Roofing Contractors | Roof installation, repair, and related roofing trade work. |
| 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | Building electrical work and wiring installation. |
| 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | Plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning trade work. |
| 238910 | Site Preparation Contractors | Excavation, demolition, land clearing, and other site-preparation activity. |
Construction business counts depend on the code and record unit
A count for all of NAICS 23 is different from a count for one six-digit construction industry. The result also changes depending on whether the data represents companies, headquarters, establishments, or operating locations. Multi-location enterprises can contribute more than one establishment to a construction-industry universe.
For market research or business targeting, define the NAICS level, geography, record unit, operating-status rule, and any company-size or contact criteria before comparing totals. When the target is a specific trade such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or site preparation, a six-digit industry is usually a more useful starting universe than all of Sector 23.
SICCODE.com publishes current business-data coverage on the individual construction code pages. The same classification can be used for company research, establishment-level analysis, and targeted business lists, but the record unit and reference date should be clear whenever counts are compared.
Current construction coverage can be reviewed on the NAICS 23, NAICS 236, NAICS 237, and NAICS 238 pages.
For a targeted company list by construction NAICS code, geography, company size, and contact criteria, see Business & Company Lists.
Common construction NAICS classification mistakes
- Treating NAICS 23 as if it were one six-digit construction code.
- Assuming every general contractor belongs in 236 without checking whether the primary project is a building or a heavy and civil engineering project.
- Assuming every subcontractor or specialty contractor belongs in 238 and overlooking construction activities classified in 237.
- Using a broad residual construction code before reviewing the more specific six-digit industries and cross-references.
- Choosing a code from a contractor license category instead of the economic activity actually performed.
- Treating the largest share of revenue or a 51 percent threshold as a universal NAICS classification rule.
- Counting companies, establishments, headquarters, and operating locations as if they were interchangeable units.
- Treating construction performed by a non-construction enterprise for its own account as Sector 23 without checking whether it is a separate construction establishment.
Questions about construction NAICS classification
What is the difference between NAICS 236, 237, and 238?
NAICS 236 covers building construction, 237 covers heavy and civil engineering projects, and 238 covers specific construction trades. The correct choice depends on the establishment's primary construction responsibility.
What NAICS code is used for a general contractor?
There is no single code for every general contractor. A contractor responsible for a complete building project often falls within 236, while a contractor responsible for heavy or civil engineering construction can fall within 237. The project type and primary activity determine the classification.
Are all specialty contractors classified in NAICS 238?
No. Many trade contractors are in 238, but contractors primarily engaged in certain highway, utility-system, pipeline, and other heavy or civil engineering activities can be classified in 237.
What is the NAICS code for construction management?
Construction project management is classified according to the type of construction project being managed. Building-project construction management can fall within 236, while heavy and civil project management can fall within 237. Advisory or management-consulting work without construction project-management responsibility is a different activity.
What if a construction business performs several trades?
Classify the establishment by its primary activity. Revenue, contract mix, and the work for which the establishment has primary responsibility can help determine which activity is dominant.
Does a contractor license determine the NAICS code?
No. Contractor licensing and NAICS classification serve different purposes. The NAICS code follows the establishment's primary economic activity rather than the title of a state or local license.
Can a construction company use more than one NAICS code?
A company can be associated with more than one activity, and separate establishments can perform different activities. For classification of an individual establishment, the primary activity should identify the best-fitting NAICS code.
Primary sources for construction classification
The official 2022 U.S. NAICS definitions should be used to confirm construction boundaries, inclusions, exclusions, and cross-references.
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U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS Manual
Official U.S. NAICS manual, including Sector 23 definitions, cross-references, and primary-activity classification guidance. -
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS Sector 23: Construction
Sector-level definition and hierarchy for U.S. construction industries. -
U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS 236: Construction of Buildings
Official definition for establishments primarily responsible for building construction. -
U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS 237: Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Official definition for engineering and nonbuilding construction projects. -
U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS 238: Specialty Trade Contractors
Official definition for trade-specific construction activities. -
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census: Sector 23 Construction
Economic Census tables for the construction sector.
Citation and attribution
This reference can be cited as:
SICCODE.com. (2026). NAICS Code for Construction: NAICS 23, 236, 237, and 238. Updated September 10, 2026. https://siccode.com/page/naics-code-for-construction