Industry Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary and other allied subjects.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within NAICS 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology are:
- Life sciences research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Guided missile and space vehicle engine research and development
- Veterinary research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Physical science research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Environmental research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Industrial research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Physics research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Dental research and development laboratories or services
- Genetics research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Botany research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Photonics research and development services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Experimental farms
- Computer and related hardware research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Geological research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Bacteriological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Engineering research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Oceanographic research and development laboratories or services
- Biology research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Mathematics research and development laboratories or services
- Chemical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Agriculture research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Health research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Observatories, research institutions
- Entomological research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Food research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Fisheries research and development laboratories or services
- Medical research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Electronic research and development laboratories or services (except nanotechnology research and development)
- Aerospace research and development (except prototype production)
- Forestry research and development laboratories or services
- Guided missile and space vehicle parts (except engines) research and development
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Scientific Research & Development in the US (54171)
Revenue 2025
$333bn
Growth 2025
2.97%
Key Trends
The federal government is the source of just over half the industry's revenue, so changes in federal funding levels affect revenue
The percentage of the industry funded by the federal government has declined over the past decade
Federal funding for defense is set to annually decline
Products and Services
Similar Industries
For some business types, there may be a similar industry to 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology that is a better classification match. Establishments primarily engaged in:
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing physical, chemical, or other analytical testing services (except medical or veterinary), such as acoustics or vibration testing, calibration testing, electrical and electronic testing, geotechnical testing, mechanical testing, nondestructive testing, or thermal testing--are classified in Industry 541380, Testing Laboratories;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Conducting research and experimental development in nanotechnology--are classified in U.S. Industry 541713, Research and Development in Nanotechnology;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing veterinary testing services--are classified in Industry 541940, Veterinary Services; and
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Providing medical laboratory testing for humans--are classified in U.S. Industry 621511, Medical Laboratories.
IBISWorld industry research report
NAICS Hierarchy 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology
NAICS Code 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology sits in the 2-digit Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology sector. NAICS codes can be 2- to 6-digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be. Learn more about the structure of NAICS codes
2 Digits: 54
Sector Title: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
3 Digits 4 Digits 5 Digits 6 Digits
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5411 Legal Services
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54111 Offices of Lawyers
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54112 Offices of Notaries
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54119 Other Legal Services
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5412 Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services
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54121 Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services
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5413 Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
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54131 Architectural Services
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54132 Landscape Architectural Services
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54133 Engineering Services
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54134 Drafting Services
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54135 Building Inspection Services
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54136 Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
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54137 Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services
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54138 Testing Laboratories
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5414 Specialized Design Services
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54141 Interior Design Services
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54142 Industrial Design Services
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54143 Graphic Design Services
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54149 Other Specialized Design Services
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5415 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
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54151 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
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5416 Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
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54161 Management Consulting Services
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54162 Environmental Consulting Services
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54169 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
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5417 Scientific Research and Development Services
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54171 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
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54172 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
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5418 Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
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54181 Advertising Agencies
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54182 Public Relations Agencies
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54183 Media Buying Agencies
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54184 Media Representatives
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54185 Outdoor Advertising
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54186 Direct Mail Advertising
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54187 Advertising Material Distribution Services
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54189 Other Services Related to Advertising
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5419 Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
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54191 Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling
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54192 Photographic Services
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54193 Translation and Interpretation Services
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54194 Veterinary Services
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54199 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
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Similar Industries Niche and Emerging
IBISWorld provides research on hundreds of niche and emerging industries, including the following for 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology.
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