NAICS 541620 Quarterly Industry Report
Environmental Consulting Services
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 541620Sector: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This report documents NAICS 541620: Environmental Consulting Services using the 2022 North American Industry Classification System. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau[5] NAICS classifications, Census Bureau economic data[5], and SBA size standards[6]. Fair Market Value approaches using market-based multiples from comparable firms are commonly employed in valuing environmental consulting businesses. Additional data is drawn from Bureau of Labor Statistics[7].. Industry statistics reflect current market conditions and employment trends.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the environmental consulting services industry.
NAICS Sector
54
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Environmental Consulting Services (NAICS 541620) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing advice and assistance to other organizations on environmental matters. These firms identify environmental contamination issues, measure and evaluate risks, and recommend solutions to address air quality, water quality, hazardous materials, and ecological concerns. Per Census Bureau[5] data, the U.S. industry includes approximately 10,000 establishments with combined annual revenue of about $16 billion.
Employment in this sector exceeds 158,000 professionals. Market demand is driven by compliance with environmental regulations, corporate sustainability commitments, and investor expectations for environmental stewardship. Services range from environmental impact assessments and site remediation planning to regulatory compliance support and ecological restoration. Demand continues to grow.
Environmental consulting firms employ multidisciplined teams of scientists, engineers, and technicians with expertise in air and water quality, asbestos and hazardous material contamination, site remediation, ecological restoration, and environmental law. Geographic distribution spans the United States, with concentrations in regions near manufacturing, construction, and major industrial operations. Federal infrastructure spending and expanding regulatory requirements at both state and federal levels support long-term market growth. Superfund site remediation, brownfield redevelopment, and PFAS contamination represent growing areas of practice. The industry also benefits from increasing demand for environmental due diligence in commercial real estate transactions and corporate sustainability reporting.
What's Included in This Industry
- Environmental impact assessments and evaluations
- Site characterization and contamination assessment services
- Remedial action plan development
- Environmental compliance and regulatory consulting
- Air quality and emissions monitoring advisory services
- Water quality and groundwater consulting
- Hazardous material identification and abatement planning
- Ecological restoration and natural resource management consulting
- Environmental audit and due diligence services
- Waste management consulting services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 |
| Subsector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541 |
| Industry Group | Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 5416 |
| NAICS Industry | Environmental Consulting Services | 54162 |
| National Industry | Environmental Consulting Services | 541620 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 541330 | Engineering Services | Engineering services includes environmental engineering disciplines that design solutions for environmental problems, complementing the advisory and assessment services provided by environmental consultants in contamination control. |
| 541370 | Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services | Surveying and mapping services produce geographic data and site characterization maps essential for environmental assessments, contamination mapping, and remedial design in environmental consulting projects. |
| 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | Testing laboratories provide soil, water, and air sample analysis services that are fundamental to environmental assessments and contamination monitoring conducted by environmental consulting firms. |
| 562910 | Remediation Services | Remediation services execute the cleanup activities and contamination removal work that environmental consultants plan and specify in their remedial action plans and site remediation strategies. |
| 541690 | Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services | Other scientific and technical consulting covers specialized consulting in scientific fields that may overlap with certain environmental consulting activities, though 541620 maintains a distinct environmental focus. |
| 541611 | Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services | Administrative and general management consulting provides broader organizational advice that complements environmental consulting when clients require both operational strategy and environmental compliance guidance. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 15.6% | 1,579 |
| 2 | Florida | 6.7% | 674 |
| 3 | Texas | 6.6% | 671 |
| 4 | New York | 4.8% | 488 |
| 5 | Colorado | 4.7% | 472 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 4.3% | 431 |
| 7 | Washington | 3.6% | 366 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 3.4% | 343 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 3.0% | 308 |
| 10 | Virginia | 2.8% | 284 |
% Of Establishments
0%
16%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
640
Total SBA Loans
$272.0M
Total Loan Volume
$425K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.10%
Average Interest Rate
5,408
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[6] sets the size standard for NAICS 541620 at $19.0 million in average annual receipts. This threshold applies to the preceding five fiscal years for determining small business status in federal contracting and other SBA programs. Businesses meeting this threshold may qualify for set-aside contracts and SBA loan 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 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 24 | $34.8M | $1.4M |
| 2 | Heritage Bank | 8 | $24.7M | $3.1M |
| 3 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 56 | $19.7M | $352K |
| 4 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 32 | $18.3M | $573K |
| 5 | SouthState Bank, National Association | 16 | $18.3M | $1.1M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the difference between environmental consulting and remediation services?
Environmental consulting (NAICS 541620) focuses on assessing, planning, and recommending solutions for environmental issues such as site characterization, compliance support, and developing remedial action plans. Remediation services (NAICS 562910)[10] actually perform the cleanup activities and contamination removal work that consultants have specified.
What services are included under environmental compliance consulting?
Environmental compliance consulting includes regulatory analysis, environmental audits, permit development and support, waste management planning, air and water quality compliance, hazardous materials management, spill prevention planning, and assistance with environmental inspections and enforcement actions.
What is the SBA size standard for environmental consulting?
The SBA[11] sets the size standard for NAICS 541620 at $19.0 million in average annual receipts for the preceding five fiscal years. Businesses at or below this threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs.
How large is the environmental consulting industry?
The industry includes approximately 10,000 establishments with combined annual revenue of about $16 billion and employment exceeding 158,000 professionals. Among these, the 50 largest firms account for roughly 30 percent of industry revenue, indicating substantial opportunity for smaller specialized consulting firms. Census Bureau data[5]
What are the primary drivers of demand for environmental consulting?
Demand is driven by regulatory compliance requirements, corporate sustainability commitments, investor expectations for environmental stewardship, and due diligence requirements for real estate transactions. Increasing enforcement of environmental laws and client preferences for sustainable operations continue expanding the market.
Which states have the highest concentration of environmental consulting firms?
Environmental consulting firms concentrate in regions with major industrial activity, manufacturing, and regulatory intensity. California, Texas, and states in the Northeast corridor show strong concentrations due to industrial history, regulatory frameworks, and large construction markets. Federal facility sites and Superfund locations also drive regional demand. BLS Environmental Science Data[12]
What certifications should environmental consultants pursue?
Key certifications include Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), OSHA safety certifications, and specialized credentials in asbestos management, hazardous materials handling, and environmental law. Professional membership in the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP)[13] supports career development.
How is Fair Market Value calculated for environmental consulting firms?
Fair Market Value is commonly determined using income-based approaches such as discounted cash flow analysis and market-based approaches comparing the firm to similar businesses. Valuation examines multiples of revenue, earnings, and book value, reflecting the firm's profitability, client relationships, technical expertise, and market conditions.
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 data.census.gov
- [6]SBA size standards sba.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]504 loans sba.gov
- [10]Remediation services (NAICS 562910) census.gov
- [11]SBA sba.gov
- [12]BLS Environmental Science Data bls.gov
- [13]National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) naep.org
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