NAICS 541380 Quarterly Industry Report
Testing Laboratories
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 541380Sector: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value report profiles NAICS 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) using 2022 NAICS classifications and Census Bureau data[5]. The analysis incorporates SBA size standards, Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data, and ISO 17025 accreditation standards. Fair Market Value methodology references EBITDA multiples, service quality metrics, and accreditation status as key valuation drivers for testing laboratory businesses.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the testing laboratories industry.
NAICS Sector
54
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Testing Laboratories and Services (NAICS 541380) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in performing physical, chemical, and other analytical testing for industrial, environmental, and commercial purposes Census Bureau NAICS 541380[5]. Services include acoustics or vibration testing, assaying, biological testing (except medical and veterinary), calibration testing, electrical and electronic testing, geotechnical testing, mechanical testing, nondestructive testing, and thermal testing. Testing may occur in laboratory settings or on-site at customer locations. The classification excludes medical laboratories (NAICS 621511) and veterinary services.
With approximately 4,130 active establishments and 137,298 employees across the United States, NAICS 541380 represents a critical component of the professional services sector BLS Industry Data[6]. Many laboratories pursue ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation to demonstrate adherence to international standards for testing competence. Environmental testing laboratories analyze soil, water, and air samples for pollutants, while materials testing laboratories assess physical and chemical properties of metals, plastics, and other industrial materials. Revenue per firm varies widely based on specialization and client mix.
Testing laboratories serve diverse client bases including manufacturing facilities, construction firms, environmental consulting companies, and regulatory agencies. The industry's value proposition centers on providing accurate, reliable analytical data informing critical business and regulatory decisions. Fair Market Value assessments for testing laboratories typically reference EBITDA multiples ranging from 3 to 4.5 for small labs with revenues between $1 million and $5 million, with higher valuations for labs holding accreditations and established long-term customer contracts.
What's Included in This Industry
- Physical and chemical analytical testing services
- Acoustics and vibration testing
- Assaying services for mineral and material composition
- Biological testing (non-medical, non-veterinary)
- Calibration testing and certification services
- Electrical and electronic testing
- Geotechnical testing for soil and foundation analysis
- Mechanical testing and materials characterization
- Nondestructive testing and inspection
- Thermal testing and environmental sample analysis
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 | Testing Laboratories and Services | 54138 |
| National Industry | Testing Laboratories and Services | 541380 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 621511 | Medical Laboratories | Medical Laboratories provides diagnostic testing for the medical profession, analyzing body fluids and tissues for healthcare providers, while NAICS 541380 excludes medical testing and serves industrial, environmental, and commercial testing applications. |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | Engineering Services involves design and development using physical laws, with testing laboratories frequently supporting engineering projects by performing materials testing, quality assurance, and compliance verification for construction and manufacturing. |
| 541620 | Environmental Consulting Services | Environmental Consulting Services provides strategic guidance on environmental compliance and remediation, with environmental testing laboratories under 541380 providing the analytical foundation for consulting project data needs. |
| 541360 | Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services | Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services provides specialized subsurface surveying that often incorporates geotechnical testing, material analysis, and site investigation work complementary to testing laboratory capabilities. |
| 541714 | Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) | Research and Development in Biotechnology encompasses experimental research that often requires analytical testing services, with testing laboratories supporting research initiatives through calibration and quality verification of experimental processes. |
| 541940 | Veterinary Services | Veterinary Services includes testing services for licensed veterinary practitioners, though NAICS 541380 explicitly excludes veterinary testing, maintaining clear boundaries between industrial and veterinary analytical service sectors. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 12.7% | 953 |
| 2 | Texas | 10.6% | 796 |
| 3 | Florida | 5.3% | 393 |
| 4 | Illinois | 4.3% | 321 |
| 5 | New York | 4.2% | 313 |
| 6 | Ohio | 3.9% | 295 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.8% | 281 |
| 8 | Michigan | 3.1% | 233 |
| 9 | New Jersey | 3.1% | 230 |
| 10 | Louisiana | 2.8% | 208 |
% Of Establishments
0%
13%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
464
Total SBA Loans
$277.7M
Total Loan Volume
$598K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.41%
Average Interest Rate
4,352
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard for NAICS 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) is $19 million in average annual receipts SBA Size Standards[7]. This threshold determines eligibility for SBA-supported financing, government contracting programs, and federal procurement preferences. Small businesses in this industry qualify for federal contracts set-aside for small business concerns and may access SBA loan guarantees and other support programs. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[9] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 40 | $34.5M | $863K |
| 2 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 16 | $28.2M | $1.8M |
| 3 | PNC Bank, National Association | 24 | $24.0M | $1.0M |
| 4 | City National Bank | 8 | $23.6M | $3.0M |
| 5 | Mission Valley Bank | 8 | $20.0M | $2.5M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What services are included under NAICS 541380?
NAICS 541380 covers analytical testing including electrical and electronic testing, mechanical testing, materials characterization, geotechnical testing, environmental sample analysis, calibration services, and nondestructive testing. Services may be performed in laboratory settings or on-site. Census Bureau NAICS 541380[5]
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541380?
The SBA size standard is $19 million in average annual receipts. Companies meeting this threshold qualify as small businesses for government contract set-asides, SBA loan programs, and federal procurement preferences. SBA Size Standards[7]
How does NAICS 541380 differ from medical laboratories?
NAICS 541380 excludes medical and veterinary testing, which are classified under NAICS 621511. The key distinction is that 541380 serves industrial, environmental, and commercial applications, while 621511 focuses on diagnostic testing for healthcare providers analyzing body fluids and clinical specimens.
What industries rely on testing laboratory services?
Manufacturing, construction, environmental consulting, oil and gas, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and regulatory compliance sectors all rely on testing laboratories. Environmental labs test soil, water, and air samples. Materials testing facilities assess metals, plastics, and composites for quality verification. BLS Industry Data[6]
What accreditations are important for testing laboratories?
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories, ensuring competence and quality management. Many laboratories pursue sector-specific accreditations as well. ISO 17025 accreditation demonstrates adherence to rigorous technical requirements and enables wider international acceptance of laboratory reports. ISO 17025 Standards[10]
How is Fair Market Value determined for testing laboratories?
Fair Market Value assessments typically use EBITDA multiples ranging from 3 to 4.5 for small facilities with $1 million to $5 million in revenue. Valuation factors include service quality, customer concentration, equipment condition, accreditation status, and contract stability. Labs with established accreditations and long-term contracts command premium valuations.
What is the employment profile for NAICS 541380?
The industry employs about 137,298 workers across 4,130 establishments nationwide. Positions span technical specialists, laboratory analysts, equipment operators, quality assurance personnel, and management. Average hourly wages reach $39.53 for the broader professional services category.
What exclusions apply to NAICS 541380?
NAICS 541380 excludes medical laboratory testing (621511), veterinary testing services (541940), and automotive emissions testing (811198). Biotechnology R&D (541714) and physical sciences research (541715) are classified separately, though they frequently partner with testing laboratories for analytical support.
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 541380 census.gov
- [6]BLS Industry Data bls.gov
- [7]SBA Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]ISO 17025 Standards iso.org
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