NAICS 541310 Quarterly Industry Report
Architectural Services
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 541310Sector: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value report profiles NAICS 541310 (Architectural Services) using 2022 NAICS classification standards. Data sources include the U.S. [Census Bureau[7]](https://data.census.gov/)'s County Business Patterns, Bureau of Labor Statistics[8] Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SBA size standard tables[9], and the American Institute of Architects industry forecasts. The analysis excludes design services classified separately under NAICS 541320 (site and outdoor design) and NAICS 541330 (engineering services). Fair Market Value assessments reference median billing rates by project type, regional geographic adjustments, and firm size classifications.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the architectural services industry.
NAICS Sector
54
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Architectural Services (NAICS 541310) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in planning and designing residential, institutional, leisure, commercial, and industrial buildings and structures Census Bureau NAICS 541310[5]. Approximately 22,223 establishments employ 171,348 workers, generating substantial economic activity across the United States. Firms apply specialized knowledge of construction procedures, building codes, zoning regulations, and building materials. The U.S. architectural services sector was valued at $38 billion, with geographic concentration in major metropolitan areas and states including California, Texas, and Florida.
Workforce retention presents ongoing challenges. The sector lost 1,300 jobs in November 2024 while facing sustained demand from infrastructure investments and specialized construction markets. Skills gaps in Building Information Modeling and advanced digital technologies create recruitment obstacles. Firms compete for talent in an environment where work-life balance and remote work flexibility increasingly influence career decisions. The profession ages steadily. Over 40 percent of the current workforce is expected to retire within the next decade, compressing the experienced talent pipeline.
Growth drivers include expanding demand in data center construction, manufacturing facilities, and warehouse development, collectively representing approximately 40 percent of commercial and industrial construction spending. Sustainable building practices and green construction standards continue shaping project requirements across residential and commercial segments AIA Construction Forecast[6]. Cloud-based collaboration platforms and advanced BIM technologies transform project delivery methods, requiring firms to invest in workforce development and software infrastructure.
What's Included in This Industry
- Industry definition and NAICS classification boundaries
- Establishment counts and employment statistics
- SBA size standard and small business qualification criteria
- Market valuation and sector economic contribution
- Workforce retention challenges and retirement projections
- Technology adoption including BIM and cloud collaboration
- Growth drivers across construction market segments
- Related NAICS classifications with distinction explanations
- Geographic concentration by state and metropolitan area
- FAQ covering licensing, market drivers, and firm characteristics
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 |
| Subsector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541 |
| Industry Group | Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 5413 |
| NAICS Industry | Architectural Services | 54131 |
| National Industry | Architectural Services | 541310 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 541320 | Landscape Architectural Services | Site and outdoor design services differ from architectural services by focusing on planning and designing land development projects including parks, recreational areas, and site master plans rather than building structures, using distinct expertise in land characteristics and outdoor design methodologies. |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | Engineering services establishments provide design and technical services for specialized systems and structures including civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, representing a distinct classification from building architectural design though often conducted collaboratively on projects. |
| 541340 | Drafting Services | Drafting services establishments provide technical drawing and documentation under the direction of architects or engineers, focusing on producing construction documents and technical specifications rather than performing primary design or planning services independently. |
| 541370 | Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services | Surveying and mapping services encompass land surveying, cartographic services, and topographic mapping, providing essential boundary determination and site analysis data that architectural professionals use during design and planning phases of building projects. |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and institutional building construction firms execute the actual construction work on buildings designed by architectural services establishments, representing distinct downstream points in the building development and delivery process. |
| 541490 | Other Specialized Design Services | Other specialized design services including industrial, graphic, and interior design represent complementary professional design disciplines that may collaborate with architectural services on comprehensive building and space design projects. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 16.4% | 3,702 |
| 2 | New York | 9.4% | 2,134 |
| 3 | Florida | 7.3% | 1,658 |
| 4 | Texas | 7.0% | 1,595 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.2% | 939 |
| 6 | Colorado | 3.6% | 823 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 3.2% | 731 |
| 8 | Washington | 3.2% | 726 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 3.0% | 670 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 2.9% | 646 |
% Of Establishments
0%
16%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
1,664
Total SBA Loans
$568.5M
Total Loan Volume
$342K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.48%
Average Interest Rate
12,888
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard for NAICS 541310 (Architectural Services) is $12.5 million in average annual receipts SBA Size Standards[9]. This threshold defines small business eligibility for federal contracting opportunities, SBA loan programs, and various procurement preferences. About 90 percent of firms fall below this threshold, creating a predominantly small-business industry profile. The standard applies across all SBA programs including 8(a) business development, HUBZone contracting, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business programs. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[11] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 128 | $55.9M | $437K |
| 2 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 120 | $46.4M | $387K |
| 3 | Northeast Bank | 208 | $41.8M | $201K |
| 4 | Associated Bank, National Association | 64 | $38.2M | $597K |
| 5 | Comerica Bank | 40 | $33.8M | $844K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What services are included in NAICS 541310?
NAICS 541310 comprises establishments planning and designing residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings and structures. This includes architectural consultancy, private practices, design services, construction specifications consulting, feasibility studies, and services during construction phases. Census Bureau NAICS 541310[5]
How does NAICS 541310 differ from NAICS 541320?
NAICS 541310 focuses on planning and designing buildings and structures themselves. NAICS 541320 encompasses planning and designing land development projects such as parks, recreational areas, and site master plans. Site designers apply expertise in land characteristics and outdoor environments, while architects apply knowledge of construction procedures, building codes, and building materials.
How many architectural services establishments are in the United States?
There were roughly 22,223 architectural services establishments employing 171,348 people as of 2020 Census data. These range from solo practitioners to large international firms with hundreds of employees across multiple offices.
What is the SBA small business size standard for architectural services?
The SBA sets the size standard at $12.5 million in average annual receipts. Firms meeting this threshold qualify for federal small business contracting programs and SBA loan products. Around 90 percent of firms fall below this threshold. SBA Size Standards[9]
Which states have the highest concentration of architectural services?
California, Texas, and Florida employ the largest concentrations of architecture and engineering occupations, with California alone representing nearly 189,000 employees in the sector. Additional hubs include Michigan, New York, and Washington state, reflecting major commercial real estate markets and construction activity. DataUSA Architecture Data[12]
What technology trends are transforming architectural services?
Building Information Modeling adoption exceeds 65 percent of firms globally, with advanced applications including 4D construction visualization, 5D cost estimation, and 6D facility management. AI integration enables automated element classification and model quality improvements. Cloud-based collaboration platforms support remote team coordination, and immersive technologies including augmented and virtual reality improve design visualization.
What workforce challenges does the industry face?
Over 40 percent of the current workforce is expected to retire within the next decade, combined with skills gaps in BIM proficiency, digital tools, and advanced technologies. Work-life balance concerns and compensation pressures drive retention challenges and talent migration to other sectors. The sector lost 1,300 jobs in November 2024 despite sustained demand. AIA Resource Center[6]
What market sectors drive architectural services demand?
Data center development, advanced manufacturing facilities, and warehousing represent growth segments, collectively accounting for close to 40 percent of commercial and industrial construction spending. Healthcare and institutional sectors generate demand from modernization projects. Sustainable building practices and green construction certifications drive design complexity and specialized services.
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]Census Bureau NAICS 541310 census.gov
- [6]AIA Construction Forecast aia.org
- [7]U.S. [Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA size standard tables sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
- [12]DataUSA Architecture Data datausa.io
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