NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Developed in cooperation with Canada and Mexico, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) represents one of the most profound changes for statistical programs focusing on emerging economic activities. NAICS, developed using a production-oriented conceptual framework, groups establishments into industries based on the economic production activity in which they are primarily engaged. These groupings are called economic sectors. Establishments using similar raw material inputs, similar capital equipment, and similar labor are classified in the same industry/economic sector. In other words, establishments that do similar things in similar ways are classified together. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor)

The NAICS tracks economic activity in 21 distinct sectors. These are listed in the table below. Please click on any sector to access a description of that sector.

To learn more about these sectors visit the NAICS web site.

The Maine Economy:2001 - 2004
Copyright March, 2007. Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469
Robert Roper, Professor of Business Administration, University of Maine at Augusta
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