NAICS 237990 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 237990Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237990) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], Army Corps of Engineers, and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, heavy civil construction analysts, and infrastructure investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the other heavy and civil engineering construction industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237990) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in heavy and civil engineering construction projects not classified under highway, street, bridge, or distribution line construction per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Work performed includes new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repairs of dams, levees, docks, marine facilities, tunnels, subways, channels, flood control structures, golf courses, and recreational facilities. Specialty trade contractors performing activities primarily related to heavy civil projects also fall within this classification.
Roughly 4,513 establishments employ over 80,000 workers generating $34.9 billion in annual revenue per Census Bureau[6] economic survey data. Average hourly wages reach $42.49 reflecting the specialized heavy equipment operation and engineering expertise required. Federal agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation commission dam, levee, and waterway projects that represent a large share of industry volume. Marine contractors perform port facility, dock, and coastal protection work for port authorities and private terminal operators. Railroad contractors build and rehabilitate track, bridges, and signal systems for Class I railroads and transit agencies.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $45 million in average annual receipts. Army Corps of Engineers construction standards govern dam, levee, and flood control projects built under federal authorization. OSHA[8] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to all job sites, with confined space entry, marine construction, and tunneling operations presenting the highest safety risks in this sector. Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration standards govern transit and railroad construction. Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects. Environmental permits under the Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, and Coastal Zone Management Act apply to marine and waterway construction activities.
What's Included in This Industry
- Dam and levee construction, rehabilitation, and repair
- Marine dock, pier, and port facility construction
- Tunnel and subway construction
- Channel and waterway construction and dredging
- Flood control structure and earth retention systems
- Railroad track and signal system construction
- Golf course and recreational facility site construction
- Coastal protection and shoreline stabilization
- Microtunneling and trenchless crossing installation
- Land drainage and irrigation canal construction
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237 |
| Industry Group | Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 2379 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 23799 |
| National Industry | Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237990 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 237110 | Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction | Water and Sewer Line Construction shares excavation and underground construction techniques with heavy civil contractors, with dam spillway outlets, flood control channels, and marine outfall installations requiring similar pipe-laying and structural concrete capabilities |
| 237310 | Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction performs road and bridge work that often accompanies heavy civil projects, with access road construction, bridge approaches, and highway interchange work frequently included in dam, tunnel, and marine facility project scopes |
| 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | Power and Communication Line Construction installs electric power and communication infrastructure that heavy civil facilities require, with dam powerhouses, transit stations, and port facilities needing high-voltage service connections and communication system installations |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction builds the above-grade structures associated with heavy civil projects, with transit station buildings, dam control houses, and port terminal buildings requiring commercial building construction expertise alongside heavy civil work |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 10.8% | 505 |
| 2 | Texas | 8.3% | 386 |
| 3 | California | 7.0% | 325 |
| 4 | New York | 4.3% | 200 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.0% | 185 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 3.8% | 178 |
| 7 | Michigan | 3.6% | 169 |
| 8 | Virginia | 3.5% | 165 |
| 9 | New Jersey | 2.8% | 129 |
| 10 | Georgia | 2.7% | 127 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
816
Total SBA Loans
$572.2M
Total Loan Volume
$701K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.29%
Average Interest Rate
9,640
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], Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237990) 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 heavy civil 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 | The Huntington National Bank | 64 | $43.4M | $678K |
| 2 | Cadence Bank | 16 | $42.8M | $2.7M |
| 3 | b1BANK | 16 | $42.4M | $2.6M |
| 4 | VelocitySBA, LLC | 16 | $37.9M | $2.4M |
| 5 | T Bank, National Association | 8 | $35.8M | $4.5M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for heavy civil construction?
NAICS 237990 covers other heavy and civil engineering construction including dams, tunnels, marine facilities, flood control, railroads, and recreational site construction per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
What is the SBA size standard for heavy civil 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 heavy civil construction industry?
Roughly 4,513 establishments employ over 80,000 workers generating $34.9 billion in revenue per Census Bureau[6] economic survey data, with average hourly wages of $42.49 reflecting specialized heavy construction skills.
What federal agencies commission heavy civil projects?
The Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation commission dam, levee, and waterway projects, while Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration fund transit and railroad construction under their respective capital investment programs.
What safety standards govern heavy civil construction?
OSHA[8] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to all job sites, with confined space entry in tunnels, marine construction over water, and work near heavy equipment presenting the highest-risk activities requiring specialized safety training and procedures.
What types of marine construction fall under this code?
Marine construction includes dock and pier building, port facility construction, coastal protection structures, dredging, and shoreline stabilization per Census Bureau[5] classification guidelines, with work performed for port authorities, the Navy, and private terminal operators.
What environmental permits apply to heavy civil projects?
Clean Water Act Section 404 permits, Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 permits, and Coastal Zone Management Act consistency determinations apply to marine and waterway construction per federal environmental law, with Army Corps of Engineers issuing permits for work in navigable waters and wetlands.
What is the industry growth outlook?
Annual growth averaged 0.3% from 2020 to 2025 with projected acceleration to 1.2% through 2030 per industry forecast data, driven by federal infrastructure investment in flood control, dam rehabilitation, port modernization, and transit expansion projects funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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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