Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector comprises establishments that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. These activities require a high degree of expertise and training. The establishments in this sector specialize according to expertise and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; consulting services; research services; advertising services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; veterinary services; and other professional, scientific, and technical services. This sector excludes establishments primarily engaged in providing a range of day-to-day office administrative services, such as financial planning, billing and recordkeeping, personnel supply, and physical distribution and logistics. These establishments are classified in Sector 56, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services. |
| 541 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector group establishments engaged in processes where human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis, where an individual or team is responsible for the delivery of services to the client. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the services provider. The distinguishing feature of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires degrees, though not in every case. |
| 5417 | Scientific Research and Development Services 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments engaged in conducting original investigation undertaken on a systematic basis to gain new knowledge (research) and/or the application of research findings or other scientific knowledge for the creation of new or significantly improved products or processes (experimental development). Techniques may include modeling and simulation. The industries within this industry group are defined on the basis of the domain of research; that is, on the scientific expertise of the establishment. |
| 54171 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, biotechnology, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, nanotechnology, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects. |
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects. |
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Classification References
- 01Conducting research and experimental development in nanotechnology--are classified in U.S. Industry 541713, Research and Development in Nanotechnology;
- 02Conducting research and experimental development in biotechnology (except nanobiotechnology)--are classified in U.S. Industry 541714, Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology);
- 03Providing physical, chemical, or other analytical testing services (except medical or veterinary), such as acoustics or vibration testing, calibration testing, electrical and electronic testing, geotechnical testing, mechanical testing, nondestructive testing, or thermal testing--are classified in Industry 541380, Testing Laboratories and Services;
- 04Creating and developing industrial designs and specifications that optimize the use, value, and appearance of automobiles, furniture, and other products--are classified in Industry 541420, Industrial Design Services;
- 05Providing veterinary testing services--are classified in Industry 541940, Veterinary Services;
- 06Providing medical laboratory testing for humans--are classified in U.S. Industry 621511, Medical Laboratories;
- 07Raising funds for health related research--are classified in U.S. Industry 813212, Voluntary Health Organizations; and
- 08Laboratory animal production (e.g., guinea pigs, mice, rats)--are classified in Industry 112990, All Other Animal Production.
Index Items
Aerospace research and development (except prototype production)
Agriculture research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Artificial intelligence research and development laboratories or services
Bacteriological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Biology research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Botany research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Chemical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Computer and related hardware research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
Dental research and development laboratories or services
Electronic research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
Engineering research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
Entomological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Environmental research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Experimental farms
Fisheries research and development laboratories or services
Food research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Forestry research and development laboratories or services
Genetics research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Geological research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
Guided missile and space vehicle engine research and development
Guided missile and space vehicle parts (except engines) research and development
Health research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Industrial research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Life sciences research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Mathematics research and development laboratories or services
Medical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Observatories, research institutions
Oceanographic research and development laboratories or services
Photonics research and development services (except nanotechnology research and development)
Physical science research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
Physics research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
Robotics research and development laboratories or services
Veterinary research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
How Item Can Help
This tool processes vast datasets from physical labs and engineering firms to identify trends in material properties or manufacturing efficiencies, enabling R&D teams to make data-driven decisions faster.
For organizations managing raw materials, hazardous chemicals, and specialized equipment, the Warehouse Management System provides real-time inventory tracking and strict access controls to ensure safety and availability.
The Transportation Management System optimizes the delivery of large machinery and fragile biological samples by selecting the most reliable carriers and routes, which is critical for maintaining time-sensitive R&D projects.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 541715.
National Science Foundation
US federal agency funding research and development across all physical and life sciences fields
American Association of Physical Chemists
Trade organization representing professionals conducting research in physical chemistry and related engineering disciplines
Research and Development Magazine
Industry publication providing market analysis and news for companies engaged in R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences
