NAICS 541360 Quarterly Industry Report
Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 541360Sector: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value report profiles NAICS 541360 (Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services) as defined by the 2022 NAICS system. Data sources include Census Bureau economic statistics[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics employment surveys, and industry market research. Additional data is drawn from SBA[7].. Fair Market Value benchmarks and operational metrics support business valuation, M&A analysis, and strategic planning using income, market, and comparable transaction approaches.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the geophysical surveying and mapping services industry.
NAICS Sector
54
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (NAICS 541360) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in gathering, interpreting, and mapping geophysical data to locate and measure subsurface resources Census Bureau NAICS 541360[5]. These firms employ specialized techniques including seismic, magnetic, gravity, electrical, electromagnetic, and remote sensing methods to detect economic mineral deposits, oil and gas reserves, and subsurface structures for engineering purposes. The industry comprises approximately 900 establishments generating combined annual revenue near $2 billion, with individual firms averaging $2.1 million in annual revenue and employing about 7 workers per location.
Demand for geophysical services is primarily driven by oil and gas exploration activity, though the industry increasingly serves renewable energy development, infrastructure assessment, and environmental investigation purposes BLS Surveying Employment Data[6]. Major participants include Dawson Geophysical, SAExploration Holdings, Echo Seismic, and Breckenridge Geophysical, with the top 50 companies accounting for roughly 68% of total industry revenue. Employment wages reach $35.39 per hour as of recent labor statistics. Market cyclicality is pronounced. Revenue fluctuates with energy commodity prices, yet diversification into renewable energy evaluation, environmental assessment, and infrastructure surveys provides partial stabilization.
Technological advancement in data collection and processing continues reshaping the sector. AI-powered interpretation tools, cloud computing for seismic data processing, and drone-based survey platforms expand capabilities while reducing operational costs. Offshore exploration and offshore wind development drive demand for marine geophysical capabilities. Labor shortages for skilled geophysicists and technical staff represent ongoing operational challenges.
What's Included in This Industry
- Aerial geophysical surveying services
- Seismic surveying and mapping services
- Magnetic and gravity geophysical surveys
- Electrical and electromagnetic surveying services
- Radioactive geophysical surveying
- Remote sensing geophysical mapping
- Geological surveying for subsurface resource evaluation
- Geophysical data interpretation services
- Engineering and environmental site investigation surveys
- Mineral exploration and resource assessment surveys
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 | Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services | 54136 |
| National Industry | Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services | 541360 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 541370 | Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services | Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services conducts surface feature surveying and property boundary mapping without using specialized geophysical techniques, serving municipal, real estate, and infrastructure markets with different methodologies than NAICS 541360 firms. |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | Engineering Services includes firms providing technical design and consultation that often complement geophysical survey findings, with many engineering consultancies subcontracting geophysical services for site investigation and resource assessment components. |
| 213112 | Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations | Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations covers establishments performing exploration services excluding geophysical surveying, working in close coordination with 541360 firms to develop prospects and evaluate subsurface structures. |
| 213114 | Support Activities for Metal Mining | Support Activities for Metal Mining includes firms conducting mining exploration and development that use geophysical survey data from 541360 establishments to locate ore deposits and evaluate mineral resource potential. |
| 541340 | Drafting Services | Drafting Services produces technical drawings and documentation incorporating geophysical survey data from 541360 firms, supporting visualization and communication of subsurface mapping results for engineering projects. |
| 541620 | Environmental Consulting Services | Environmental Consulting Services provides strategic guidance on environmental compliance and remediation, with environmental testing and site assessment frequently requiring geophysical survey data for contamination mapping and subsurface characterization. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 23.9% | 241 |
| 2 | Texas | 21.6% | 217 |
| 3 | Florida | 6.3% | 63 |
| 4 | Colorado | 6.0% | 60 |
| 5 | California | 5.5% | 55 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 2.5% | 25 |
| 7 | Ohio | 2.3% | 23 |
| 8 | Virginia | 2.1% | 21 |
| 9 | Louisiana | 2.0% | 20 |
| 10 | Arizona | 1.7% | 17 |
% Of Establishments
0%
24%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
64
Total SBA Loans
$29.3M
Total Loan Volume
$458K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.53%
Average Interest Rate
688
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard for NAICS 541360 (Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services) is $28.5 million in average annual receipts SBA Size Standards[8]. This threshold determines small business eligibility for federal contracting set-asides, SBA loan programs, and other assistance initiatives. Firms at or below this revenue level may qualify as small businesses for government procurement purposes and related programs. 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 | GBC International Bank | 8 | $8.0M | $1.0M |
| 2 | Central Pacific Bank | 8 | $7.5M | $935K |
| 3 | Independent Bank | 8 | $6.3M | $783K |
| 4 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 8 | $3.2M | $400K |
| 5 | Northeast Bank | 8 | $2.8M | $350K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What methods do geophysical surveying firms use?
Geophysical firms employ seismic reflection and refraction methods, gravity and magnetic surveys, electrical and electromagnetic methods, radioactive surveying, and remote sensing technologies. Method selection depends on exploration objectives and subsurface geology. Census Bureau NAICS 541360[5]
What types of clients use geophysical surveying services?
Primary clients include oil and gas exploration companies, mining companies seeking ore deposits, infrastructure developers requiring subsurface surveys, environmental remediation firms mapping contamination, renewable energy companies evaluating geothermal sites, and government agencies conducting natural resource assessments.
How does geophysical surveying differ from standard surveying?
NAICS 541360 uses applied physics techniques to measure subsurface properties and detect geological deposits. Standard surveying (NAICS 541370) focuses on measuring and mapping surface features, topography, and property boundaries. Geophysical surveys address subsurface exploration objectives while standard surveys serve real estate and construction planning needs.
What industry trends affect the geophysical surveying market?
The energy transition creates new demand for geophysical surveys in renewable energy, geothermal, and carbon sequestration projects. AI and cloud computing improve data processing capabilities. Offshore wind development drives marine geophysical demand. Cyclicality tied to oil prices creates revenue volatility. BLS Employment Data[6]
Which states have highest geophysical surveying employment?
Employment concentrates in states with active oil and gas exploration and mining operations. Alaska shows 2.38 times the national average concentration, followed by Florida (1.92x), Texas (1.85x), and Louisiana (1.81x). BLS Geographic Data[6]
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541360?
The SBA size standard is $28.5 million in average annual receipts. Firms at or below this threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting and SBA program purposes. SBA Size Standards[8]
How do commodity prices affect geophysical service revenues?
Strong cyclical correlation exists between oil and gas prices and geophysical service demand. Declining petroleum prices reduce exploration budgets and survey demand proportionally. Rising prices increase exploration activity. Firms diversified across energy, mining, infrastructure, and environmental sectors experience less severe revenue fluctuations.
How is business value assessed for geophysical firms?
Valuation professionals use income, market, and asset approaches. Income analysis examines cash flows considering commodity price cycles. Market approach uses comparable transaction multiples. Asset approach evaluates specialized equipment and data libraries. Fair Market Value multiples typically range from 0.8 to 1.5 times annual revenue depending on diversification and contract backlog.
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 541360 census.gov
- [6]BLS Surveying Employment Data bls.gov
- [7]SBA sba.gov
- [8]SBA Size Standards sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504 loans sba.gov
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