NAICS Code for Consulting: 2026 Size Table and Steps

By Aoba Works · Published October 28, 2026 · 15 min read

How this guide was made: drafted with AI assistance from the official sources linked below, then passed an automated editorial check before publishing. Our process

• Naics Codes
• Sba Size Standards
• Sam.gov
• Federal Contracting

No single NAICS code covers all consulting. Most general business and management consulting uses 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services), and its SBA size standard is $24.5 million in average annual receipts (GSA OASIS+ NAICS table, as of October 2026). Marketing, HR, logistics, safety, environmental and IT consulting each have their own codes and limits, from $19.0M to $34.0M. Pick the code that matches the service that brings in most of your revenue. Then check that your receipts are under that code's limit.

Which option is right for you?

Choose your primary code based on what clients mostly pay you for. Your company's name, structure and size don't decide it.

What Is the NAICS Code for Consulting Services?

Most consulting services use 541611, but there are about ten consulting codes. Each one has its own SBA size standard.

The consulting codes sit in NAICS industry group 5416 (Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services). A few related professional-services codes sit next to it. The table below shows the receipts-based limits SBA uses now. The figures come from the regulation (13 CFR 121.201 via Cornell LII) and from GSA's OASIS+ table (GSA). SBA's downloadable table has an effective date of March 17, 2023 (SBA). All figures are as of October 2026; check the official page before you bid.

Some of these codes get mixed up often. 541618 is not a general "other consulting" code for any kind of advice. Its index entries are telecommunications and utilities management consulting (NAICS 541618). 541990 is also narrower than its name suggests. Its definition specifically leaves out consulting, along with legal, accounting, engineering and computer systems design. Its examples include appraisal, arbitration and weather forecasting (NAICS 541990). You'll still see 541990 on solicitations because agencies use it for broad contract vehicles. For example, GSA uses 541990 as the administrative NAICS on all six OASIS+ solicitations (GSA).

Before you choose, read each code's official description in the Census Bureau's NAICS search at census.gov/naics. SAM.gov uses the 2022 NAICS edition (Federal Filing), so search the 2022 year.

What Is the Best NAICS Code for Consulting?

The best code is the most specific one that matches your main revenue-earning service. The broadest code and the most popular code are not automatically the right ones.

SBA counts you as small or not small for a particular NAICS code. When you bid, the code that matters is the one the contracting officer put on that solicitation. A contracting officer chooses one code per solicitation. They look at the NAICS Manual descriptions, the statement of work, and which part of the contract is worth the most money (13 CFR 121.402). So your primary code in SAM.gov describes your business. The code on the solicitation decides your eligibility for that bid.

Use this checklist to pick your primary code:

1. List what you billed for in the last 12–24 months. For example, a firm might list "operations reviews 60%, marketing plans 25%, staff workshops 15%."
2. Find the activity with the largest share. In that example it's operations reviews, which points to 541611.
3. Search that activity at census.gov/naics with the year set to 2022, then read the definition and its "excludes" notes.
4. Compare the code with the size standard for each realistic alternative. A firm earning $21M a year is small under 541611 ($24.5M) but not small under 541613 ($19.0M).
5. Look at what agencies actually put on solicitations for your work. On SAM.gov, go to Search → Contract Opportunities and filter by NAICS Code. If buyers keep assigning 541611 to work like yours, add it.
6. Enter that code as your primary NAICS in SAM.gov, and list the others as secondary codes.

Common mistakes and fixes:

• Choosing a code only because its size limit is higher. Your primary code should describe what you actually do. In any case, your eligibility on each bid depends on the solicitation's code, not your primary one.
• Leaving out codes that buyers actually use. If agencies post your kind of work under 541990 or 541618, add those as secondary codes so you show up in their searches. You still have to be under each code's size standard to bid as small under it.
• Using an outdated code. NAICS changes every five years. If a code won't save in SAM.gov, check that it exists in the 2022 edition (Federal Filing).

Our SBA size standards by NAICS guide covers how to check the full table and how size appeals work.

What Is the NAICS Code for Management Consulting?

Management consulting is NAICS 541611. Its SBA size standard is $24.5 million in average annual receipts (as of October 2026).

The official description of 541611 covers advice to organizations on "strategic and organizational planning, financial planning and budgeting, marketing objectives and policies, human resource policies, and production scheduling" (NAICS 541611). Most management consultants who work across several of those areas belong here.

If one specialty clearly brings in most of your revenue, a sibling code fits better:

• Mostly HR work, such as compensation studies or HR policy: 541612, $29.0M.
• Mostly logistics or supply chain work: 541614, $20.0M.
• Management consulting only for telecom or utility clients: 541618, $19.0M.

All figures are from GSA, as of October 2026.

For example, take a firm whose federal work is mostly program-office reviews, process redesign and budget formulation support. 541611 is its natural primary code. If that firm's five-year average receipts are $18M, it is small under 541611, 541612 and 541614. It is also small under the $19.0M codes, but just barely.

Agencies often use 541611 for advisory and assistance services. Your capability statement should list it with the same wording used in the statements of work you're targeting.

What Is the NAICS Code for Marketing Consulting?

Marketing consulting is NAICS 541613 (Marketing Consulting Services). Its size standard is $19.0 million, which is lower than the $24.5M limit for 541611.

541613 covers advice on "developing marketing objectives and policies, sales forecasting, new product developing and pricing" (NAICS 541613). Its cross-references send two nearby services elsewhere. Public relations planning goes to 541820, and market research and polling go to 541910 (NAICS 541613). Their limits are $19.0M and $22.5M (13 CFR 121.201).

For example, a firm that runs recruitment-marketing strategy for an agency and also fields surveys would compare the revenue from each. If the surveys are the larger share, 541910 is the better primary code.

One mistake to watch for: a firm with $20M in receipts that registers 541613 as primary can lose small-business status on marketing contracts it could have won as a 541910 firm. That is only true if research is honestly its main activity. The code has to describe the actual work, and you can't pick it to fit a size limit.

What Is the NAICS Code for Technology Consulting?

Technology and IT consulting usually falls under 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), with a $34.0 million size standard. 541618 is not the code for general IT advice.

541512 covers "planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies." Its index entries include "computer systems integration design consulting" (NAICS 541512). Three related IT codes also share the $34.0M limit: 541511 (Custom Computer Programming), 541512 itself, and 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). 541513 (Computer Facilities Management) is $37.0M (13 CFR 121.201).

Watch out for the ITVAR exception. It uses a 150-employee limit instead of receipts. It applies to contracts for multi-vendor hardware and software where value-added services make up 15–50% of the contract price (13 CFR 121.201). If you mainly resell licenses, the employee test is the one that counts on those bids.

What Is the NAICS Code for Safety Consulting?

Safety consulting is listed under NAICS 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), with a $19.0 million size standard. It is not under 541990.

The Census index lists "safety consulting services" and "occupational health and safety consulting services" as entries under 541690. Security consulting and product quality consulting are listed there too (NAICS 541690; Statistics Canada NAICS 2022 examples). The 541690 limit is $19.0M (GSA).

Two other codes can apply to safety work:

• Environmental focus (air permits, contamination, NEPA-type compliance advice): 541620 Environmental Consulting, $19.0M.
• Engineering-led work (stamped designs, fire protection engineering): 541330 Engineering Services, $25.5M. Certain military, aerospace, Energy Policy Act and marine engineering exceptions are $47.0M (13 CFR 121.201).

For example, a firm that writes OSHA compliance programs and runs site safety audits for a VA medical center fits 541690. If the same firm mostly designs fire suppression systems under a professional engineer's seal, 541330 fits better.

A common mistake is listing only 541990 because it sounds broad. Agencies searching SAM.gov for safety consultants filter by 541690, so you'd be missing from those results. List 541690 first, and add 541990 only if you also do work that its index actually covers.

What Is the NAICS Code for Consulting and Coaching?

Consulting with some coaching mixed in usually stays under 541611. Training-led coaching uses 611430, and life coaching for individuals is listed under 812990.

There is no code just for "coaching." Three NAICS listings come close:

• 611430 Professional and Management Development Training covers structured leadership and professional development. Its size standard is $15.0M (13 CFR 121.201).
• 812990 All Other Personal Services has "life coach services" as an index entry (Ask Kodiak NAICS index). It rarely fits federal work, which is usually sold to organizations, not to individuals.
• 541611 fits when the coaching supports advisory work you're paid for, such as executive coaching during a reorganization.

To decide:

1. Split last year's revenue into advice (assessments, recommendations, plans) and instruction (workshops, curriculum, cohort programs).
2. If advice is the larger share, make 541611 primary and add 611430 as secondary.
3. If instruction is the larger share, make 611430 primary. Remember its $15.0M limit is the lowest in this guide.
4. Check what agencies post. Leadership development for federal supervisors is often posted as training, so search Contract Opportunities for both codes before you decide.

A common mistake is putting "coaching" in your capability statement while your SAM.gov codes are all 5416 consulting codes. Buyers filtering for 611430 won't find you. Make the codes and your description match.

NAICS Code for Small Business Consulting

Most small business consultants use 541611. You count as small under it if your average annual receipts are below $24.5 million (as of October 2026).

"Small business consulting" is not a separate NAICS industry. It's management consulting where the clients happen to be small firms, so 541611 applies. One related code is easy to mix up with it: 541211/541219 for bookkeeping and accounting-led advice. Check the Census search if most of your billable work is tax or accounting.

SBA's test uses receipts, not profit. For a firm in business five or more years, it is "total receipts of the concern over its most recently completed 5 fiscal years divided by 5." Receipts mean total income plus cost of goods sold. Subcontractor costs and reimbursed purchases cannot be excluded, and you must add in your affiliates' receipts (13 CFR 121.104). A firm that has been operating less than five years annualizes its receipts by weeks in business (13 CFR 121.104).

Example only, with made-up numbers:

At $22.2M, this firm is small under 541611 ($24.5M) and 541612 ($29.0M). It is not small under 541613, 541618 or 541690 ($19.0M each). Its last two years were above $24.5M, but the five-year average keeps it small under 541611 for now.

You'll also see much bigger numbers for these codes in the news. On August 20, 2026, SBA proposed a major overhaul that would merge size standards into 338 groups and set a new minimum of $30.6M in receipts (Federal Register; Thompson Hine). Under the proposal, 541611 would go from $24.5M to $295M, and 541512 from $34M to $531M (Thompson Hine). The comment period was extended to November 20, 2026 (SmallGovCon via Wifcon). A separate August 2025 inflation proposal has also not been finalized (National Law Review). Until SBA publishes a final rule with an effective date, use the current figures in this guide.

NAICS Code for Consulting Firm vs Freelance Consultant

Your business structure doesn't change your NAICS code. A solo LLC and a 200-person firm doing the same work use the same code.

NAICS classifies a business by what it is "primarily engaged in." The code descriptions don't mention entity type or headcount (NAICS 541611). The differences between a solo consultant and a firm show up elsewhere:

• Size. A one-person shop with $400K in receipts is small under every code in this guide. A growing firm has to recheck its five-year average every year.
• Affiliation. If you also own part of another company, its receipts may count toward your size (13 CFR 121.104).
• Teaming. Freelancers often start as subcontractors. When you sub, the prime decides which work you do, but your size is still measured against the solicitation's NAICS code.

For example, a former agency analyst who sets up as a single-member LLC selling program evaluation uses 541611, just as a large firm would. Picking 541990 "because I'm a freelancer" is a mistake.

Common mistakes and fixes:

• Copying an old employer's codes. Their mix of services isn't yours. Build your list from your own revenue.
• Not registering because you're "too small." You can't be awarded federal contracts without an active SAM.gov registration. Our SAM.gov registration guide walks through it, from getting a UEI to an active registration.

How to add or change your consulting NAICS codes in SAM.gov

These are the steps for an existing registration (Federal Filing):

1. Go to SAM.gov, click Sign In, and log in with Login.gov.
2. Open Entity Registrations → Existing Entity Registrations and select your entity.
3. Click Update Entity.
4. Go to Goods and Services, then enter your NAICS codes and mark one as Primary.
5. Check the small business status SAM shows next to each code, then submit. Your size status for each code comes from the receipts you entered in the registration.

When the code on a solicitation looks wrong

Each solicitation has one code (13 CFR 121.402). If the code doesn't match the statement of work, you can appeal to SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA). The designation is final unless someone appeals in time (13 CFR 121.402). The deadline is short, usually 10 calendar days after the solicitation is issued (13 CFR 134.304). Before you consider an appeal, ask the contracting officer about the code. Answering a sources sought notice is a good, low-risk time to raise it.

Next steps

You can do the first two steps below today. Both are free.

Do it yourself today:

1. Split last year's revenue by service and match the largest share to a code from the table at the top.
2. Enter that code in the SBA size standards tool along with your five-year average receipts.
3. Search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities by that code. Save three recent notices so you can see how agencies describe the work.

If you'd rather have help:

• APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) give free, one-on-one help with NAICS selection, SAM.gov and bid readiness (apexaccelerators.us). They're a good fit for first-time bidders. Limitation: counselors don't act as your lawyer, and wait times differ by location. They're not the right choice if you need a size protest or NAICS appeal filed under a deadline.
• A government contracts attorney is the right call for a size protest, an OHA NAICS appeal, or affiliation questions after an acquisition. Fees vary by firm and matter (as of October 2026; ask for a written quote). Don't hire one just to pick a primary code; free counseling covers that.

Related guides on this site:

• SBA Size Standards by NAICS: 2026 Table, Steps & Appeals
• SAM.gov Registration Guide: 7 Steps From UEI to Active
• How to Bid on Government Contracts: 7 Steps, 2026 Costs

FAQ

What is the NAICS number for consulting?

The most common NAICS number for consulting is 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Its size standard is $24.5M. Specialized consulting has its own numbers: 541612 (HR), 541613 (marketing), 541614 (logistics), 541618 (telecom/utilities management), 541620 (environmental), and 541690 (scientific and technical, including safety).

What is the NAICS code for consulting business?

A consulting business uses the code for the service that brings in most of its revenue. For general business advisory firms, that's 541611. Whether you're an LLC, an S-corp or a sole proprietor doesn't matter. Only the activity does.

Naics code for consulting work

Consulting work on a federal contract is classified by the code the contracting officer puts on the solicitation. They choose based on the statement of work and the part of the contract worth the most (13 CFR 121.402). Your size is measured against that code's standard, even if your primary code is different.

What is the NAICS code for consulting services?

Consulting services are grouped under NAICS 5416, Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services. As of October 2026, the six-digit codes in that group have size standards from $19.0M to $29.0M. IT consulting that includes systems design falls under 541512 instead, with a $34.0M limit.

Sources

• GSA — OASIS+ NAICS codes by domain (size standards for 5416 codes and 541990)
• 13 CFR 121.201 — Size standards by NAICS (Cornell LII)
• 13 CFR 121.104 — How annual receipts are calculated (Cornell LII)
• 13 CFR 121.402 — NAICS code designation by contracting officers (Cornell LII)
• 13 CFR 134.304 — NAICS appeal timing (Cornell LII)
• SBA — Table of Size Standards page (effective March 17, 2023)
• SBA — Size standards and size standards tool
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS search
• NAICS 541611 description
• NAICS 541613 description
• NAICS 541618 description
• NAICS 541690 description
• NAICS 541990 description
• NAICS 541512 description
• Statistics Canada — NAICS 2022 541690 examples
• Ask Kodiak — Life coach services NAICS index entry
• Federal Register — Small Business Size Standards proposed rule (Aug 20, 2026)
• Thompson Hine — The $531 Million "Small" Business
• SmallGovCon via Wifcon — Comment period extended to Nov 20, 2026
• National Law Review — SBA inflation adjustment proposal (2025)
• Federal Filing — How to add NAICS codes in SAM.gov
• APEX Accelerators

Spotted something out of date or wrong? Tell us at shigoto.ai.note@gmail.com. Guides are re-checked against official sources on a rolling schedule.