US Home Services Market Size Statistics 2026: Establishments, Employment and Revenue by Trade
By Christoph Totter, CT Acquisitions · Last verified July 2026 · Next review January 2027
Quick answer: Across the six core home services trades (HVAC and plumbing, electrical, roofing, painting, landscaping, and pest control), US Census figures record roughly 387,000 establishments employing about 3.45 million people. The most defensible revenue anchor is ~$785 billion in 2022 receipts for those trades from the Economic Census. Vendor “market size” reports run higher (often $200 billion to over $500 billion for narrower or broader scopes) because they use different trade definitions and mix labor with materials. The Census establishment-revenue figure is NAICS-bounded and repeatable.
At a glance: US home services market statistics
| Statistic | Figure | Source | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core home services establishments (6 trades) | ~387,000 | Census CBP 2022, via CT Acquisitions | High |
| Core home services employment (6 trades) | ~3.45 million | Census CBP 2022, via CT Acquisitions | High |
| Core home services receipts anchor (6 trades) | ~$785 billion | Census Economic Census 2022, via CT Acquisitions | High |
| All specialty trade contractors (NAICS 238) receipts | $1.28 trillion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| Total US construction sector (NAICS 23) receipts | $2.92 trillion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| HVAC and plumbing establishments (NAICS 238220) | 109,601 | Census CBP 2022 | High |
| HVAC and plumbing employment (NAICS 238220) | 1,176,759 | Census CBP 2022 | High |
| HVAC and plumbing receipts (NAICS 238220) | $297.6 billion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| Electrical contractor establishments (NAICS 238210) | 81,842 | Census CBP 2022 | High |
| Electrical contractor receipts (NAICS 238210) | $249.2 billion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| Landscaping services establishments (NAICS 561730) | 117,109 | Census CBP 2022 | High |
| Landscaping services receipts (NAICS 561730) | $115.4 billion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| Roofing contractor establishments (NAICS 238160) | 24,532 | Census CBP 2022 | High |
| Roofing contractor receipts (NAICS 238160) | $69.9 billion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| Painting contractor establishments (NAICS 238320) | 37,963 | Census CBP 2022 | High |
| Pest control establishments (NAICS 561710) | 16,080 | Census CBP 2022 | High |
| Pest control receipts (NAICS 561710) | $19.9 billion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| Median plumber / pipefitter wage (May 2024) | $62,970 | BLS OEWS, May 2024 | High |
| Services to buildings and dwellings (NAICS 5617) receipts | $226.0 billion | Census Economic Census 2022 | High |
| Vendor “home services market” estimate (illustrative) | ~$211.7 billion (2024) | Verified Market Research [Verify] | Medium |
| Alternate vendor “home services” revenue estimate | ~$500 billion (2024) | Vendor research [Verify] | Low |
How big is the US home services market? The reconciliation
The single most confusing question in this sector is its size, because published numbers range from roughly $200 billion to well past $1 trillion. The spread is not a data error. It comes from three scope choices: which trades count, whether materials are included alongside labor, and whether the figure measures consumer spending or establishment revenue. Below we anchor on Census establishment revenue, which is NAICS-bounded and repeatable, then explain why vendor figures diverge.
~$785 billion: combined 2022 receipts for the six core home services trades (HVAC and plumbing 238220, electrical 238210, roofing 238160, painting 238320, landscaping 561730, and pest control 561710). This is the defensible establishment-revenue anchor for a homeowner-facing scope. (US Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, receipts by NAICS, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
$1.28 trillion: total 2022 receipts for all specialty trade contractors (NAICS 238), which includes commercial and industrial work far beyond residential home services. Vendor reports that quote a trillion-dollar “home services” figure are usually reaching into this broader base. (US Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census) [Verified]
$2.92 trillion: total 2022 receipts for the entire US construction sector (NAICS 23), including building construction and heavy and civil engineering. This is the widest defensible boundary and is not a home services number. (US Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census) [Verified]
~$211.7 billion: one vendor estimate of the 2024 US “home services market,” reflecting a narrower on-demand and residential-only scope. (Verified Market Research) [Verify]
~$500 billion: a broader vendor estimate for 2024 US home services revenue, reflecting a wider scope that folds in cleaning, maintenance, and improvement categories. (Vendor research) [Verify]
The pattern is clear: a vendor number is only meaningful once you know its scope. Our Census anchor of ~$785 billion sits between the narrow and broad vendor estimates because it captures the full receipts of six named trades without stretching into commercial specialty work or general construction. For the buy-side and consolidation view of the same sector, see our private equity home services statistics.
How many home services businesses are there?
109,601: US establishments in the plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractor category (NAICS 238220), which combines HVAC and plumbing into one Census code. This is the largest single trade code in the home services set. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
117,109: US landscaping services establishments (NAICS 561730). By establishment count, landscaping is the most fragmented of the core trades. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
81,842: US electrical contractor establishments (NAICS 238210). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
37,963: US painting and wall covering contractor establishments (NAICS 238320). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
24,532: US roofing contractor establishments (NAICS 238160). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
16,080: US exterminating and pest control services establishments (NAICS 561710). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
~387,000: combined establishments across the six core home services trades. That is why the sector is a magnet for buy-and-build strategies: no single operator controls a meaningful national share. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
510,803: all specialty trade contractor establishments (NAICS 238), the broader construction subset that contains the residential trades plus commercial and industrial specialty work. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
For firm-level counts, average firm size, and concentration ratios across these trades, see our industry fragmentation league table.
How many people work in the trades?
1,176,759: employees in the HVAC and plumbing category (NAICS 238220), by far the largest workforce among the core trades. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
951,773: employees at electrical contractors (NAICS 238210). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
774,028: employees in landscaping services (NAICS 561730). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
204,998: employees at roofing contractors (NAICS 238160). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
197,707: employees at painting and wall covering contractors (NAICS 238320). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
139,917: employees in exterminating and pest control services (NAICS 561710). (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
~3.45 million: combined employment across the six core home services trades. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
$82.2 billion: annual payroll for the HVAC and plumbing category (NAICS 238220) in 2022. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
$68.4 billion: annual payroll for electrical contractors (NAICS 238210) in 2022. (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2022) [Verified]
$62,970: median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in May 2024, a labor-cost benchmark for the plumbing side of the sector. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024) [Verified]
For full wage detail by trade and state, see our skilled trades wage atlas.
Which trades are biggest?
The table below ranks the core home services trades by 2022 receipts, with establishments and employment alongside. HVAC and plumbing lead on every measure because NAICS 238220 combines two large trades into one code. Note that receipts are 2022 Economic Census “value of business done,” which includes both labor and installed materials.
| Trade | NAICS | Establishments | Employment | Receipts (2022) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC and plumbing (combined code) | 238220 | 109,601 | 1,176,759 | $297.6 billion | Census CBP + Econ Census 2022 |
| Electrical contractors | 238210 | 81,842 | 951,773 | $249.2 billion | Census CBP + Econ Census 2022 |
| Landscaping services | 561730 | 117,109 | 774,028 | $115.4 billion | Census CBP + Econ Census 2022 |
| Roofing contractors | 238160 | 24,532 | 204,998 | $69.9 billion | Census CBP + Econ Census 2022 |
| Painting and wall covering | 238320 | 37,963 | 197,707 | $33.0 billion | Census CBP + Econ Census 2022 |
| Exterminating and pest control | 561710 | 16,080 | 139,917 | $19.9 billion | Census CBP + Econ Census 2022 |
$297.6 billion: 2022 receipts for HVAC and plumbing (NAICS 238220), the largest single trade code by revenue. (US Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census) [Verified]
$3.0 million: average receipts per establishment for electrical contractors, the highest revenue density among the core trades. (Derived from US Census Bureau 2022 CBP and Economic Census, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
~$985,000: average receipts per landscaping establishment, the lowest revenue density in the set, reflecting a high count of small operators. (Derived from US Census Bureau 2022 CBP and Economic Census, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
For how these revenue profiles translate into deal pricing, see our home services M&A multiples report and the per-trade breakdowns for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and landscaping.
How fragmented and how fast-growing?
10.7: average employees per establishment in the HVAC and plumbing category, one of the larger average firm sizes among the core trades. (Derived from US Census Bureau 2022 CBP, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
6.6: average employees per landscaping establishment, reflecting a workforce spread across many small firms. (Derived from US Census Bureau 2022 CBP, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
~387,000: total establishments across six trades with no dominant national operator, the structural condition that makes the sector attractive for consolidation. For concentration ratios and firm-count context, see our fragmentation league table. (US Census Bureau, 2022 CBP, via CT Acquisitions) [Verified]
$1.28 trillion: specialty trade contractor receipts (NAICS 238), the broader base that grew alongside residential renovation and system-replacement demand through 2022. (US Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census) [Verified]
Formation and survival dynamics shape how fast this establishment base turns over. For business formation and closure rates in these trades, see our business churn report. For the profile of who is acquiring these firms, see who buys home services companies.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the US home services market in 2026?
The most defensible anchor is roughly $785 billion in 2022 receipts across six core trades (HVAC and plumbing, electrical, roofing, painting, landscaping, and pest control), per the US Census Bureau 2022 Economic Census. Vendor market-size reports range from about $211 billion to more than $500 billion depending on which trades they count and whether they measure labor only or labor plus materials.
Why do home services market size estimates vary so much?
Three scope choices drive the spread. First, which trades count: a plumbing-and-HVAC-only definition is far smaller than one that adds landscaping, cleaning, and remodeling. Second, materials versus labor: Census receipts include installed materials, while some vendor figures count service labor only. Third, consumer spending versus establishment revenue, which are measured differently. Always check the scope note before comparing two figures.
How many home services businesses are there in the US?
About 387,000 establishments across the six core trades, per US Census County Business Patterns 2022. The broader specialty trade contractor category (NAICS 238) contains 510,803 establishments, but that includes commercial and industrial work beyond residential home services.
Why are HVAC and plumbing counted together?
The US Census Bureau assigns both to a single code, NAICS 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors). There is no separate national CBP code that splits HVAC from plumbing, so any figure claiming to isolate one from the other is an estimate, not a direct Census count. We report the combined code honestly.
Which home services trade is the largest?
HVAC and plumbing (NAICS 238220) is largest on every measure: 109,601 establishments, 1,176,759 employees, and $297.6 billion in 2022 receipts. Electrical (NAICS 238210) is second, and landscaping (NAICS 561730) leads on raw establishment count at 117,109 but trails on revenue.
How many people work in the home services trades?
About 3.45 million people are employed across the six core trades, per US Census County Business Patterns 2022. HVAC and plumbing alone account for more than 1.17 million of those jobs.
What revenue figure should I use for a home services business plan?
Use the Census establishment-revenue anchor and state your scope. For a homeowner-facing definition, the ~$785 billion six-trade figure is defensible and NAICS-bounded. If you need a single trade, use its specific code, for example $297.6 billion for HVAC and plumbing or $249.2 billion for electrical. Avoid quoting an unscoped vendor number as a hard fact.
Are these figures 2026 numbers?
The underlying counts are from the US Census Bureau 2022 vintage, the most recent complete establishment and receipts data available at publication. Wage figures use BLS OEWS May 2024. We label this a 2026 statistics page because it is the current reference set for the 2026 planning cycle, not because 2026 microdata exists yet.
Methodology and limitations
NAICS scope per trade. Establishments, employment, and payroll come from US Census County Business Patterns 2022 at the six-digit NAICS level, filtered to all legal forms of organization. Receipts come from the 2022 Economic Census, reported as value of business done for construction trades and total receipts for service trades. The six core trades are: HVAC and plumbing (238220, a single combined code), electrical (238210), roofing (238160), painting and wall covering (238320), landscaping services (561730), and exterminating and pest control (561710).
Census vintage. County Business Patterns and the Economic Census are both 2022 vintage, the most recent complete datasets at publication. BLS OEWS wage figures are May 2024. Aggregated and derived figures (six-trade totals, per-establishment averages) are computed by CT Acquisitions from the underlying Census tables and are marked accordingly.
Why vendor figures diverge. Vendor market-size reports use proprietary trade definitions that often bundle or split categories differently from NAICS, include or exclude materials, and mix consumer-spend surveys with establishment revenue. That is why published “home services market” numbers range from roughly $211 billion to more than $500 billion, and why trillion-dollar figures usually reach into the full specialty trade or construction base. We use these only to illustrate the scope divergence, not as the anchor, and vendor numbers are marked [Verify] pending confirmation of the exact figure and scope.
Limitations. HVAC and plumbing cannot be separated in national CBP data because they share NAICS 238220. Receipts and establishment counts are point-in-time 2022 snapshots and do not capture 2023 to 2026 growth. Non-employer businesses (sole proprietors with no payroll) are excluded from CBP and understate true operator counts in fragmented trades such as landscaping and painting. Some smaller trades relevant to home services (for example, garage door, gutter, or pool service) fall under broad catch-all codes and are not isolated here.
Last verified: July 2026 · Next review: January 2027
Sources:
- US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 (establishments, employment, payroll by NAICS): census.gov/programs-surveys/cbp
- US Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census (receipts by NAICS): census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2024 (wages by occupation): bls.gov/oes
- Verified Market Research, US Home Service Market (vendor estimate, [Verify]): verifiedmarketresearch.com
- CT Acquisitions internal analyses: PE home services statistics, fragmentation league table, wage atlas, business churn report
Build notes: All Census figures pulled from official 2022 CBP national flat file and 2022 Economic Census tables this session. Aggregated and derived lines marked “via CT Acquisitions.” Vendor figures marked [Verify]. Zero hits against the CT voice-gate exclusion set.