NAICS 513130 Quarterly Industry Report
Book Publishers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 513130Sector: Information (51)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 513130 industry report using data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and the Small Business Administration[8]. Our research team analyzes unit sales trends, format mix shifts, rights valuation, and backlist revenue patterns to build benchmarks specific to publishing operations. This report on NAICS 513130 is updated quarterly to reflect evolving distribution channels and author compensation structures.
Industry Definition & Overview
Book Publishers (NAICS 513130) encompasses establishments known as book publishers that carry out the design, editing, marketing, and distribution activities necessary for producing books in print, electronic, or audio form. This code covers trade publishers releasing fiction, nonfiction, and children's titles for general audiences; educational publishers producing textbooks and instructional materials for K-12 and higher education markets; religious publishers; reference and professional publishers; and digital-only e-book operations.
Revenue streams have diversified as print unit sales share declined and digital formats expanded. E-book and audiobook sales have grown from negligible shares in the mid-2000s to collectively represent a substantial portion of publisher revenue. Print remains the dominant format for most trade titles, but audiobook production has become a standard part of the release cycle for major publishers. The Association of American Publishers[4] tracks annual industry revenue data showing total U.S. publishing revenue exceeding $28 billion.
The industry operates on an advance-and-royalty model for author compensation. Publishers invest in editorial development, cover design, typesetting, print manufacturing, marketing, and distribution infrastructure. Five major publishing conglomerates control a large share of trade revenue, but thousands of independent and university presses serve specialized markets. Average hourly wages for publishing workers reached $41.16 in 2023 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]. New York City remains the headquarters hub for the largest publishers, with secondary concentrations in Nashville, Boston, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
What's Included in This Industry
- Trade book publishing in fiction, nonfiction, and children's categories
- Educational and academic textbook publishing
- E-book creation and digital distribution
- Audiobook production and platform distribution
- Book design, typesetting, and cover art production
- Editorial development, copyediting, and proofreading
- Marketing, publicity, and author promotional campaigns
- Rights licensing for foreign editions, film adaptation, and subsidiary rights
- Print manufacturing coordination and inventory management
- Direct-to-consumer and retail distribution logistics
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Information | 51 |
| Subsector | Publishing Industries | 513 |
| Industry Group | Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | 5131 |
| NAICS Industry | Book Publishers | 51313 |
| National Industry | Book Publishers | 513130 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 513120 | Periodical Publishers | Periodical publishers share editorial workflows, subscription models, and retail distribution networks with book publishers but produce serialized content |
| 513110 | Newspaper Publishers | Newspaper publishers employ similar editorial staff and advertising sales models but focus on daily news rather than long-form book content |
| 323111 | Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) | Commercial printers manufacture the physical book runs that publishers order for retail and direct distribution channels nationwide |
| 512290 | Other Sound Recording Industries | Sound recording services produce audiobook editions that have become a standard format alongside print and e-book releases |
| 519210 | Libraries and Archives | Libraries and archives are major institutional buyers of books and digital lending licenses from publishers across all subject categories |
| 541430 | Graphic Design Services | Graphic design services produce book covers, interior layouts, and marketing materials that publishers commission for each title release |
SBA Lending Summary
184
Total SBA Loans
$59.8M
Total Loan Volume
$325K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.87%
Average Interest Rate
1,184
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard[9] for NAICS 513130 is 1,000 employees, using a headcount threshold that classifies publishers with fewer than 1,000 workers as small businesses. Book publishers can access the SBA 7(a) loan program[10] for working capital, technology investments, and business acquisition financing, while SBA 504 loans[11] support office and warehouse facility purchases. Most independent and university presses employ well under 100 people.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bath Savings Institution | 8 | $24.0M | $3.0M |
| 2 | Lendistry SBLC, LLC | 24 | $14.7M | $614K |
| 3 | InBank | 8 | $8.7M | $1.1M |
| 4 | Northeast Bank | 40 | $3.2M | $81K |
| 5 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 8 | $2.4M | $300K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 513130?
NAICS 513130 covers establishments engaged in publishing books in print, electronic, or audio format. This includes trade publishers, educational textbook companies, religious publishers, university presses, children's book publishers, and digital-only e-book operations.
How is NAICS 513130 different from 513120?
NAICS 513130 covers book publishers producing bound volumes and digital equivalents, while 513120 covers periodical publishers producing magazines, journals, and newsletters on recurring schedules. Books are standalone publications; periodicals follow serial publication cycles, per Census Bureau classifications[12].
What is the SBA size standard for book publishers?
The SBA sets the size standard for NAICS 513130 at 1,000 employees. Publishers with fewer workers qualify as small businesses for federal contracting and SBA lending programs, per the SBA size standards table[9].
What NAICS codes are related to book publishing?
Key related codes include 513120 (periodical publishers), 513110 (newspaper publishers), 323111 (commercial printing), 512290 (audiobook production), and 519210 (libraries). Each connects to a different aspect of the book publishing and distribution chain.
What industries are closely related to book publishers?
Closely related industries include periodical publishing (513120), commercial printing (323111), audiobook production (512290), libraries (519210), and advertising agencies (541810). Each interacts with publishers through production, distribution, or promotional relationships.
What activities are included in book publishing?
Activities include editorial development, manuscript acquisition, cover and interior design, typesetting, print coordination, e-book formatting, audiobook production, marketing, publicity, rights licensing, and distribution. The Association of American Publishers[4] reports annual revenue data for the industry.
Can book publishers get SBA loans?
Where are book publishers concentrated in the United States?
New York City serves as the headquarters for the five largest trade publishing groups and most major imprints. Nashville hosts religious and Christian publishing, Boston and Cambridge support academic presses, and the San Francisco Bay Area maintains a presence in technology and startup-focused publishing, per Census Bureau County Business Patterns[13].
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. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [4]Association of American Publishers publishers.org
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [9]SBA size standard sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [11]SBA 504 loans sba.gov
- [12]Census Bureau classifications census.gov
- [13]Census Bureau County Business Patterns census.gov
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