NAICS 237130 Quarterly Industry Report
Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 237130Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Power and Communication Line Construction (NAICS 237130) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], OSHA[8], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, utility construction analysts, and energy infrastructure investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the power and communication line and related structures construction industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (NAICS 237130) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in the construction of power lines and towers, power plants, and radio, television, and telecommunications transmitting and receiving towers per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Work includes new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repairs of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure as well as telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure. Roughly 3,384 firms operate 5,355 establishments employing 223,786 workers with $21.5 billion in annual payroll per Census Bureau[6] economic survey data, with total market size reaching $57 billion. MasTec operates as one of the largest specialty contractors for electric power transmission and telecommunications infrastructure. Quanta Services maintains extensive power delivery and communication construction operations. PAR Western Line Contractors and regional utility construction firms perform transmission line, distribution, and substation work across their service territories. Renewable energy interconnection, grid hardening against extreme weather, and broadband expansion drive current construction demand. Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $45 million in average annual receipts. OSHA[8] maintains specific construction standards for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution work under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V, governing minimum approach distances to energized lines and equipment. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates interstate electric transmission. Government Communications Commission (FCC) governs telecommunications tower construction including environmental review and historic preservation compliance. National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) establishes clearance, strength, and grounding requirements for overhead and underground power and communication lines. State utility commissions regulate intrastate electric and communication infrastructure permitting.
What's Included in This Industry
- Electric power transmission line construction
- Electric power distribution line construction
- Substation and switchyard construction
- Power plant and generating facility construction
- Telecommunications tower and antenna installation
- Fiber optic cable installation (aerial and underground)
- Underground electrical conduit and duct bank construction
- Solar farm and wind farm electrical interconnection
- Grid hardening and storm restoration construction
- Broadband and 5G infrastructure construction
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237 |
| Industry Group | Utility System Construction | 2371 |
| NAICS Industry | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | 23713 |
| National Industry | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | 237130 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 237110 | Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction | Water and Sewer Line Construction often runs in the same utility corridors as power and communication lines, with joint trench construction coordinating water, sewer, and electrical installations in a single excavation to reduce costs and surface disruption during underground infrastructure projects |
| 237120 | Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction | Oil and Gas Pipeline Construction installs energy infrastructure that power line construction may parallel or serve, with pipeline compressor stations requiring electric power service extensions and both industries sharing right-of-way acquisition and environmental permitting challenges |
| 221118 | Other Electric Power Generation | Other Electric Power Generation operates solar, wind, and battery storage facilities that construction firms in this classification build, with renewable energy developers commissioning new generation projects requiring both generating equipment installation and high-voltage transmission interconnection construction to deliver power to the grid |
| 517111 | Wired Telecommunications Carriers | Wired Telecommunications Carriers operate the fiber optic and copper cable networks that communication line contractors install, with carrier capital investment in fiber-to-the-home, 5G backhaul, and long-haul fiber expansion driving demand for communication line construction services |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 11.5% | 772 |
| 2 | California | 6.9% | 467 |
| 3 | Florida | 6.4% | 429 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 5.1% | 343 |
| 5 | Georgia | 4.2% | 285 |
| 6 | New York | 3.3% | 221 |
| 7 | Virginia | 3.2% | 216 |
| 8 | Illinois | 3.1% | 209 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 2.9% | 192 |
| 10 | Colorado | 2.6% | 174 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
656
Total SBA Loans
$400.6M
Total Loan Volume
$611K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.57%
Average Interest Rate
8,504
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Power and Communication Line Construction (NAICS 237130) has a size standard of $45 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[10] support equipment acquisition, bonding capacity, and business expansion for qualifying power and communication line construction firms. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[12] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KeyBank National Association | 16 | $76.0M | $4.8M |
| 2 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 48 | $60.4M | $1.3M |
| 3 | Pathward National Association | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 4 | Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company | 8 | $36.8M | $4.6M |
| 5 | Live Oak Banking Company | 16 | $36.0M | $2.3M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for power line construction?
NAICS 237130 covers power and communication line construction including transmission lines, distribution systems, substations, power plants, and telecom towers per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
What is the SBA size standard for power line construction?
The SBA size standard[7] is $45 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
How large is the power/telecom construction industry?
What OSHA standards apply to power line construction?
OSHA[8] maintains specific standards for electric power construction under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V, governing minimum approach distances to energized lines and equipment, fall protection on poles and towers, and safety procedures for working near high-voltage infrastructure.
What is driving demand for power line construction?
Renewable energy interconnection from solar and wind farms, grid hardening against extreme weather events, broadband expansion into underserved areas, and 5G infrastructure deployment drive current construction demand per Census Bureau[6] construction spending data.
What is the National Electrical Safety Code?
NESC establishes clearance, strength, and grounding requirements for overhead and underground power and communication lines per IEEE standards, with utility construction design and installation specifications based on NESC loading districts, voltage classifications, and conductor spacing requirements.
Who are the largest power line contractors?
MasTec and Quanta Services operate as two of the largest specialty contractors for power transmission and communication infrastructure per industry ranking data, with PAR Western Line Contractors and regional utility construction firms maintaining additional large-scale operations across their service territories.
What permits do telecom tower projects need?
FCC governs telecommunications tower construction including environmental review and historic preservation compliance per federal regulatory requirements, with local zoning approvals, FAA height determinations for structures exceeding 200 feet, and state utility commission permits additionally required for new tower construction.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]OSHA osha.gov
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
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