NAICS 334514 Quarterly Industry Report
Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 334514Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 334514 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and the Small Business Administration[7]. Our research team compiles establishment counts, product data, and SBA eligibility criteria specific to totalizing fluid meter and counting device manufacturing. Reports are updated quarterly to reflect new Census releases and regulatory changes.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the totalizing fluid meter and counting device manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (NAICS 334514) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing totalizing (registering) fluid meters and counting devices. Products include water consumption meters, gas consumption meters, parking meters, taxi meters, motor vehicle gauges, fare collection equipment, and mechanical or electronic counting instruments. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] distinguishes this code from electrical signal meters classified under NAICS 334515 and from industrial process flow instruments under NAICS 334513.
Municipal water and gas utilities represent the largest customer segment for this industry, purchasing meters for residential, commercial, and industrial service connections. Smart meter technology incorporating wireless communication modules and automated meter reading (AMR) capabilities has transformed the product mix from purely mechanical devices to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems. Manufacturing processes combine precision metal casting, machined components, electronic assembly, and firmware development across increasingly sophisticated product platforms that enable real-time usage monitoring.
Parking meter and fare collection equipment production serves municipal transportation authorities and transit agencies. Revenue per unit has increased substantially as products evolved from coin-operated mechanical devices to networked digital payment systems accepting multiple payment methods. Raw materials span brass and bronze castings for water meters, machined aluminum housings, electronic sensor assemblies, and wireless communication modules sourced from specialized electronic component suppliers.
What's Included in This Industry
- Water consumption meter manufacturing
- Gas consumption meter production
- Parking meter manufacturing
- Taxi meter and fare collection equipment production
- Motor vehicle instrument gauge manufacturing
- Smart meter and AMI system production
- Mechanical and electronic counter manufacturing
- Utility meter testing and calibration equipment
- Automated meter reading (AMR) device production
- Industrial counting device manufacturing
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 334 |
| Industry Group | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 3345 |
| NAICS Industry | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 33451 |
| National Industry | Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing | 334514 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 334515 | Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals | Manufactures instruments for measuring and testing electricity and electrical signals including electric utility meters, classified separately from fluid and mechanical counting devices |
| 334513 | Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables | Produces industrial process flow measurement instruments for continuous monitoring rather than the totalizing consumption meters manufactured under this classification |
| 334512 | Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use | Manufactures environmental controls for buildings sharing sensor and electronic assembly capabilities but serving HVAC regulation rather than fluid measurement functions |
| 334519 | Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing | Produces other measuring and controlling devices not covered by specific instrument categories including timing mechanisms and speed indicators |
| 332919 | Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing | Manufactures metal valves and pipe fittings installed alongside fluid meters in water and gas distribution systems throughout municipal utility infrastructure |
| 221310 | Water Supply and Irrigation Systems | Water supply systems operate as the primary end customer purchasing consumption meters manufactured under this code for residential and commercial service connections |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 17.9% | 25 |
| 2 | Texas | 13.6% | 19 |
| 3 | Ohio | 8.6% | 12 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 6.4% | 9 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 5.7% | 8 |
| 6 | Florida | 5.0% | 7 |
| 7 | Illinois | 5.0% | 7 |
| 8 | Michigan | 5.0% | 7 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 4.3% | 6 |
| 10 | New York | 3.6% | 5 |
% Of Establishments
0%
18%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
16
Total SBA Loans
$12.9M
Total Loan Volume
$807K
Average Loan Size
6 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.50%
Average Interest Rate
144
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 334514 at 850 employees. This threshold accommodates the substantial workforce needed for precision meter manufacturing combining casting, machining, and electronic assembly operations. Qualified small businesses access federal set-aside contracts for utility metering equipment at military installations and federal buildings. The SBA's contracting programs[8] support manufacturers pursuing Department of Defense and Department of Energy metering infrastructure contracts. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[9] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[10] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Bank | 8 | $12.0M | $1.5M |
| 2 | Northeast Bank | 8 | $918K | $115K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 334514?
Manufacturers of water meters, gas meters, parking meters, taxi meters, motor vehicle gauges, fare collection systems, and mechanical or electronic counting devices classify here. The Census Bureau[5] covers totalizing devices that register cumulative fluid volumes or event counts.
How is the fluid meter and counting device industry structured?
The industry is dominated by a small number of large water and gas meter manufacturers serving municipal utilities, alongside smaller firms producing parking meters, fare equipment, and specialty counting devices per Census Bureau[11] data. Smart metering technology has concentrated market share among firms with wireless communication and data analytics capabilities.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 334514?
The SBA[7] sets the threshold at 850 employees. Firms with fewer than 850 average employees qualify as small businesses for federal contracting preferences and SBA lending programs.
What NAICS codes are related to fluid meter manufacturing?
Related codes include 334515 (Electrical Instruments), 334513 (Industrial Process Instruments), 334512 (Environmental Controls), 334519 (Other Measuring Devices), and 221310 (Water Supply Systems). The key distinction separates totalizing consumption meters from continuous process flow measurement instruments.
What industries purchase fluid meters and counting devices?
Municipal water utilities, natural gas distributors, parking authorities, transit agencies, and industrial facilities represent the primary customer base. Federal installations including military bases and government buildings also procure metering equipment through GSA contract vehicles and defense procurement channels.
What activities are included in NAICS 334514?
Activities include manufacturing positive displacement water meters, producing diaphragm gas meters, building smart meters with wireless communication modules, fabricating parking meter payment systems, manufacturing taxi meters, and producing industrial counting equipment. Meter calibration testing and accuracy certification are integral production activities.
Can fluid meter manufacturers qualify for SBA loans?
Yes, firms below 850 employees qualify for SBA lending programs[8] including 7(a) and 504 loans. Precision casting equipment, CNC machining centers, meter test benches, and electronic assembly lines represent capital investments well suited to SBA 504 equipment financing.
Where are fluid meter and counting device manufacturers concentrated?
Production clusters in states with strong manufacturing and municipal water utility markets. Traditional meter manufacturing centers exist in the Southeast and Midwest regions. Smart meter producers tend to locate in areas with electronics manufacturing infrastructure in Texas, California, and the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.
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]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA's contracting programs sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504 loans sba.gov
- [11]Census Bureau data.census.gov
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