Variant of NAICS 1997 - Labour Force Survey (LFS) Industries

7 - Services-Producing Sector

11 - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

54 - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this sector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this sector are legal services industries, accounting and related services industries, architectural, engineering and related services industries, surveying and mapping services industries, design services industries, management, scientific and technical consulting services industries, scientific research and development services industries, and advertising services industries.

The distinguishing feature of this sector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this sector.

541 - Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this subsector are legal services industries, accounting and related services industries, architectural, engineering and related services industries, surveying and mapping services industries, design services industries, management, scientific and technical consulting services industries, scientific research and development services industries, and advertising services industries.

The distinguishing feature of this subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this subsector.

  • Example Activities:

    • Laboratories (see specific type)
5417 - Scientific Research and Development Services

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting original investigation, undertaken on a systematic basis to gain new knowledge (research), and in the application of research findings or other scientific knowledge for the creation of new or significantly improved products or processes (experimental development). 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

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development in the physical engineering and life sciences, including electronics, computers, chemistry, oceanography, geology, mathematics, physics, environmental, medicine, health, biology, botany, biotechnology, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, pharmacy, veterinary and other allied subjects.

  • Exclusion(s):

    • research and development on aerospace equipment undertaken by establishments belonging to enterprises manufacturing such equipment (See 33641 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing)
    • physical, chemical or other analytical testing services (See 54138 Testing Laboratories)
    • performing laboratory testing for the veterinary profession (See 54194 Veterinary Services)
    • performing clinical laboratory testing for the medical profession (See 62151 Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories)
54172 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and analyses in education, sociology, psychology, language, economics, law, and other social sciences and humanities.

  • Exclusion(s):

    Establishments primarily engaged in:

    • marketing research (See 54191 Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling)
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