NAICS 237310

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the U.S. standard for categorizing business establishments to support the collection, analysis, and publication of economic statistics. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico and adopted in 1997 to replace the SIC system, current Census Bureau statistical releases are transitioning to the 2022 NAICS vintage. ¹

NAICS 237310 covers establishments primarily engaged in constructing highways (including elevated), streets, roads, airport runways, public sidewalks, or bridges. Work may include new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repairs. Specialty trade contractors are included when the activity is primarily related to highway, street, and bridge construction (for example, installing guardrails or similar safety features). Agencies use this code to classify establishments and publish industry data. ²

See also on G2X:

• NAICS 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction)
• PSC Y1LB (Construction of Highways, Roads, Streets, Bridges, and Railways)

What this NAICS covers

• Highway, road, and street construction, including elevated highways and interchanges. ²
• Bridge and causeway construction and related structural work. ²
• Airport runway construction, resurfacing, and rehabilitation. ²
• Public sidewalk, curb, and gutter construction associated with roadways. ²
• Highway safety features such as guardrail construction and sign erection when part of highway/street/bridge projects. ²
• Line striping and traffic lane painting for highways, roads, and streets. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	237110	Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction. 2
NAICS	237130	Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction. 2
PSC	Y1LB	Construction of Highways, Roads, Streets, Bridges, and Railways. 4
PSC	Z2LB	Repair or Alteration of Highways, Roads, Streets, Bridges, and Railways. 4

Key cross-references and exclusions

• Tunnel construction is classified in NAICS 237990. ²
• Highway lighting and signal installation is classified in NAICS 238210. ²
• Painting bridges is classified in NAICS 238320. ²
• Constructing private parking lots, private driveways, private sidewalks, or erecting billboards is classified in NAICS 238990. ²

SBA small business size standard (NAICS 237310)

• Size standard: $45.0 million in average annual receipts for NAICS 237310. ⁵

Frequently asked questions

• What activities fall under NAICS 237310?

  • Construction of highways, roads, streets, bridges, airport runways, and public sidewalks; resurfacing, rehabilitation, and repair; and related work such as guardrail construction, sign erection, and traffic lane striping when primarily part of roadway or bridge projects. Specialty trade contractors are included when their work is integral to these projects. ²

• Are tunnels included in NAICS 237310?

  • No. Tunnel construction is classified to NAICS 237990, which covers other heavy and civil engineering construction not elsewhere classified in this subsector. Tunnel work is excluded from NAICS 237310 even when associated with transportation corridors. ²

• Do highway lighting and traffic signals belong in NAICS 237310?

  • Installation of highway lighting and traffic signals is classified in NAICS 238210, not in 237310. Electrical contractors performing these activities fall under the specialty trade category rather than the highway, street, and bridge construction industry. ²

• What is the SBA small business size threshold for NAICS 237310?

  • The current size standard is $45.0 million in average annual receipts. Agencies and contractors use this threshold to determine small business eligibility for set-aside competitions and subcontracting plans specific to highway, street, and bridge construction procurements. Always verify the latest table before bidding. ⁵

• Where can official industry statistics for NAICS 237310 be found?

  • The Census Bureau publishes Construction sector (Sector 23) statistics on the 2022 NAICS basis, including establishments classified under NAICS 237310. Data releases cover counts, receipts, payroll, and employment to support market sizing and benchmarking. ³

Useful resources

• U.S. Census Bureau — 2017 NAICS Manual (official industry definitions, including 237310). ²
• U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census, Sector 23 (Construction) data releases. ³
• SBA — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). ⁵
• U.S. GSA — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual (definitions for Y1LB/Z1LB/Z2LB). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS. https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2017 NAICS Manual (includes NAICS 237310 definition and cross-references). https://www2.census.gov/library/reference/naics/publications/2017-NAICS-Manual.pdf
3. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS Sector 23: Construction (Economic Census data). https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-23.html
4. U.S. General Services Administration — Product and Service Code (PSC) Manual, April 2025. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
5. U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Small Business Size Standards (effective March 17, 2023). https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023%20%282%29.pdf