NAICS 334517 Quarterly Industry Report
Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 334517Sector: 33Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 334517 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 analyzes establishment data, regulatory context, and SBA eligibility criteria specific to irradiation apparatus manufacturing. Reports are updated quarterly to reflect new Census releases and FDA regulatory developments.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the irradiation apparatus manufacturing industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (NAICS 334517) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing irradiation apparatus and tubes for medical diagnostic, medical therapeutic, industrial, research, and scientific evaluation applications. Products include X-ray machines, computed tomography (CT) scanners, radiation therapy linear accelerators, X-ray tubes, fluoroscopy systems, industrial radiography equipment, and X-ray diffraction instruments. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies this within the Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing subsector.
This industry generates substantial revenue driven by hospital capital equipment purchases for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment programs. Medical X-ray and CT systems represent the dominant product categories by value, requiring FDA 510(k) clearance or premarket approval before commercial distribution. Manufacturing combines high-voltage power supply engineering, radiation shielding design, precision mechanical gantry fabrication, detector array assembly, and image reconstruction software development into systems costing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per installation.
Industrial applications include nondestructive testing equipment for weld inspection, security screening systems for airports and cargo facilities, and X-ray diffraction instruments for materials science research. FDA radiation safety regulations and Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversight shape manufacturing processes and product design standards. Major producers maintain global service networks to support installed equipment bases requiring regular calibration, tube replacement, and software updates throughout product lifespans typically spanning 10 to 15 years in clinical use.
What's Included in This Industry
- Medical X-ray equipment manufacturing
- Computed tomography (CT) scanner production
- Radiation therapy linear accelerator manufacturing
- X-ray tube manufacturing
- Fluoroscopy system production
- Industrial radiography equipment manufacturing
- X-ray diffraction instrument production
- Security screening X-ray system manufacturing
- Dental X-ray equipment production
- Gamma ray irradiation equipment 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 | Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing | 334517 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 334510 | Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing | Manufactures electromedical apparatus including MRI and ultrasound equipment classified separately from the ionizing radiation-based diagnostic and therapeutic devices covered here |
| 334516 | Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing | Produces analytical laboratory instruments including X-ray fluorescence analyzers that use irradiation principles but are classified under laboratory analysis rather than apparatus manufacturing |
| 339112 | Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing | Manufactures surgical and medical instruments that complement irradiation equipment in clinical settings but involve non-radiation mechanical or optical diagnostic functions |
| 339113 | Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing | Produces surgical appliances and supplies including radiation therapy positioning accessories classified separately from the irradiation apparatus itself |
| 334511 | Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing | Manufactures search and navigation systems sharing high-voltage engineering and electromagnetic design expertise with irradiation apparatus producers in defense applications |
| 334515 | Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals | Produces electrical measurement instruments sharing electronic engineering capabilities but measuring electrical signals rather than producing ionizing radiation for imaging or treatment |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 22.7% | 25 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 10.0% | 11 |
| 3 | Illinois | 10.0% | 11 |
| 4 | Florida | 8.2% | 9 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 7.3% | 8 |
| 6 | New York | 6.4% | 7 |
| 7 | Ohio | 5.5% | 6 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 4.5% | 5 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 4.5% | 5 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 4.5% | 5 |
% Of Establishments
0%
23%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
8
Total SBA Loans
$4.0M
Total Loan Volume
$500K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
11.00%
Average Interest Rate
296
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 334517 at 1,200 employees, reflecting the large-scale engineering and manufacturing operations required for radiation-based medical and industrial equipment. Qualified small businesses access set-aside contracts for X-ray and imaging equipment at Veterans Affairs hospitals, Department of Defense medical facilities, and federal research institutions. The SBA's lending programs[8] support the substantial capital investments needed for radiation shielded manufacturing facilities and FDA-compliant production environments. 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 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 334517?
Manufacturers of irradiation apparatus for medical, industrial, and scientific applications classify here. This includes producers of X-ray machines, CT scanners, radiation therapy accelerators, X-ray tubes, fluoroscopy systems, and industrial radiography equipment per the Census Bureau[5] classification.
How is the irradiation apparatus manufacturing industry structured?
A small number of large multinational medical equipment corporations dominate the CT scanner and radiation therapy markets. Smaller firms specialize in dental X-ray equipment, industrial radiography systems, X-ray tube manufacturing, and security screening equipment per Census Bureau[11] establishment data. The FDA regulatory burden creates substantial barriers to entry for medical device applications.
What is the SBA size standard for irradiation apparatus manufacturing?
The SBA[7] sets the threshold at 1,200 employees for NAICS 334517. Businesses with fewer than 1,200 average employees qualify as small for federal procurement preferences and SBA lending programs.
What NAICS codes are related to irradiation apparatus manufacturing?
Related codes include 334510 (Electromedical Apparatus), 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instruments), 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instruments), 339113 (Surgical Appliances), and 334515 (Electrical Test Instruments). The primary distinction separates ionizing radiation-based equipment from ultrasound, MRI, and other non-ionizing imaging modalities.
What industries purchase irradiation apparatus?
Hospitals and outpatient imaging centers represent the largest buyers for diagnostic X-ray and CT equipment. Cancer treatment centers procure radiation therapy systems. Industrial customers include nondestructive testing companies, airport security operators, and materials science research laboratories.
What activities are included in NAICS 334517?
Core activities include manufacturing medical X-ray generators and detectors, producing CT scanner gantries and reconstruction computers, building radiation therapy linear accelerators, fabricating X-ray tubes, manufacturing industrial radiography equipment, and producing security screening systems. FDA premarket clearance submissions and radiation safety compliance testing are integral production support activities.
Can irradiation apparatus manufacturers qualify for SBA loans?
Yes, firms below 1,200 employees qualify for SBA lending programs[8] including 7(a) and 504 loans. Radiation shielded manufacturing facilities, high-voltage test equipment, and FDA validation infrastructure represent substantial capital investments suited to SBA 504 financing structures.
Where is irradiation apparatus manufacturing concentrated?
Production clusters near major medical device corridors in Wisconsin, Ohio, California, and the Northeast region. X-ray tube manufacturing requires specialized facilities with radiation shielding and high-vacuum processing capabilities. Industrial radiography equipment producers tend to locate near energy, aerospace, and heavy manufacturing customer concentrations.
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 lending 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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