NAICS 238210 Quarterly Industry Report
Electrical Contractors
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 238210Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Electrical Contractors (NAICS 238210) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[5], NECA[6], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, electrical trade analysts, and specialty construction investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Definition & Overview
Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (NAICS 238210) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in installing and servicing electrical wiring and equipment per the U.S. Census Bureau[3]. Work performed includes new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Activities include power distribution wiring, lighting system installation, fire alarm and security system wiring, data and telecommunications cabling, generator installation, and solar photovoltaic electrical interconnection. Contractors in this classification provide both labor and materials when performing electrical work.
Roughly 77,550 firms operate 79,292 establishments employing 909,447 workers with $62.7 billion in annual payroll per Census Bureau[4] economic survey data, making this the largest specialty trade classification by employment. Average hourly wages reach $41.29 per Bureau of Labor Statistics[5] data. National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA[6]) represents the electrical contracting industry through 119 local chapters. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) trains over 50,000 apprentice electricians annually through the joint apprenticeship program. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, solar energy interconnection, data center power distribution, and grid modernization represent current growth drivers.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $19 million in average annual receipts. National Electrical Code (NEC), published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA[8]), establishes electrical installation safety standards adopted by all U.S. jurisdictions. OSHA[9] electrical safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K govern electrical construction safety, with arc flash exposure and electrocution prevention representing the most serious safety hazards. State and local electrical licensing requirements mandate journeyman and master electrician licenses for individuals performing electrical work, with contractor licensing required for firms. Electrical inspection by local building departments verifies NEC compliance at rough-in and final stages of construction.
What's Included in This Industry
- Power distribution wiring and panel installation
- Lighting system installation and controls
- Fire alarm and life safety system wiring
- Data, voice, and telecommunications cabling
- Security and access control system wiring
- Generator and uninterruptible power supply installation
- Solar photovoltaic electrical interconnection
- Electric vehicle charging station installation
- Motor control and industrial electrical systems
- Building automation and smart building wiring
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 |
| Industry Group | Building Equipment Contractors | 2382 |
| NAICS Industry | Electrical And Wiring Contractors | 23821 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | Power and Communication Line Construction builds the utility distribution infrastructure that delivers electricity to the buildings where electrical contractors install interior wiring, with the utility meter and service entrance marking the boundary between outside line construction and inside building electrical work |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction manages projects where electrical contractors typically represent one of the largest subcontract values, with electrical scope including power distribution, lighting, fire alarm, data, and security systems across the entire building |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 12.1% | 9,913 |
| 2 | Florida | 7.7% | 6,292 |
| 3 | Texas | 7.2% | 5,911 |
| 4 | New York | 6.4% | 5,260 |
| 5 | North Carolina | 3.6% | 2,950 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.4% | 2,742 |
| 7 | Illinois | 3.3% | 2,715 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 3.3% | 2,670 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 3.2% | 2,592 |
| 10 | Georgia | 3.0% | 2,444 |
% Of Establishments
0%
12%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[1]
SBA Lending Summary
8,064
Total SBA Loans
$3.0B
Total Loan Volume
$378K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.46%
Average Interest Rate
70,832
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[2]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Electrical Contractors (NAICS 238210) has a size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[10] support equipment purchases, vehicle fleets, and working capital for qualifying electrical contracting 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 | 536 | $207.2M | $387K |
| 2 | Northeast Bank | 792 | $151.7M | $191K |
| 3 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 352 | $145.9M | $414K |
| 4 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 72 | $132.2M | $1.8M |
| 5 | First Bank of the Lake | 64 | $112.7M | $1.8M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for electrical contractors?
NAICS 238210 covers electrical contractors performing power wiring, lighting, fire alarm, data cabling, generator, and solar PV electrical work per the U.S. Census Bureau[3].
What is the SBA size standard for electrical contractors?
The SBA size standard[7] is $19 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
How large is the electrical contracting industry?
Roughly 77,550 firms employ 909,447 workers with $62.7 billion in annual payroll per Census Bureau[4] economic survey data, making electrical contracting the largest specialty trade classification by employment in the U.S. construction industry.
What code governs electrical installation?
National Electrical Code (NEC) published by NFPA[8] establishes electrical installation safety standards adopted by all U.S. jurisdictions, with the NEC updated on a three-year cycle and enforced through local building department electrical inspection programs.
What licensing do electricians need?
State and local requirements mandate journeyman and master electrician licenses for individuals performing electrical work, with licensing typically requiring completion of a registered apprenticeship program, specified hours of supervised field experience, and passage of written examinations covering NEC knowledge.
What are the top safety hazards in electrical work?
OSHA[9] electrical safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K govern construction electrical safety, with arc flash exposure, electrocution from contact with energized circuits, and falls from ladders and lifts representing the most serious occupational hazards.
What industry association represents electrical contractors?
NECA[6] (National Electrical Contractors Association) represents the electrical contracting industry through 119 local chapters, with IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) serving as the labor partner training over 50,000 apprentice electricians annually.
What is driving growth in electrical contracting?
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure, solar photovoltaic interconnection, data center power distribution, and building automation represent current growth areas per Census Bureau[4] construction spending data, with federal incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act supporting renewable energy and electrification projects.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [2]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [4]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]NECA necanet.org
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]NFPA nfpa.org
- [9]OSHA osha.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
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