NAICS 561 - Administrative and Support Services

Industries in the Administrative and Support Services subsector group establishments engaged in activities that support the day-to-day operations of other organizations. The processes employed in this sector (e.g., general management, personnel administration, clerical activities, cleaning activities) are often integral parts of the activities of establishments found in all sectors of the economy. The establishments classified in this subsector have specialization in one or more of these activities and can, therefore, provide services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular process that they are engaged in and the particular services they provide.

Many of the activities in this subsector are ongoing routine support functions that businesses and organizations perform in-house. However, it is common to contract or purchase services from businesses that specialize in such activities and can, therefore, provide the services more efficiently.

The industries in this subsector cannot be viewed as strictly "support." The Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services industry group includes travel agents, tour operators, and providers of other travel arrangement services, such as hotel and restaurant reservations and arranging the purchase of tickets, serving many types of clients, including individual consumers. This group was placed in this subsector because the services are often of the "support" nature (e.g., travel arrangement) to businesses and other organizations that purchase such services.

The administrative and management activities performed by establishments in this sector are typically on a contract or fee basis. These activities may also be performed by establishments that are part of the company or enterprise. However, establishments involved in administering, overseeing, and managing other establishments of the company or enterprise are classified in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises. Establishments in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises, normally undertake the strategic and organizational planning and decision-making role of the company or enterprise. Government establishments engaged in administering, overseeing, and managing governmental programs are classified in Sector 92, Public Administration.

• Includes establishments providing administrative and support activities to other organizations.
• Supports a wide variety of industries and some household clients through specialized services.
• Services range from personnel administration to travel arrangements and cleaning activities.
• Contracting often involves routine, ongoing support functions that businesses may outsource.
• Government contracting includes both short-term and long-term agreements with various procurement methods.
• Size standards vary but often accommodate small to medium-sized enterprises active in support services.

• Personnel administration and human resources support
• Clerical and office support services
• Janitorial and cleaning services
• Travel arrangement and reservation services
• Document preparation and management
• Facility management and maintenance support
• Contract and project management assistance
• Customer service and call center operations

• Administrative support service providers
• Professional employer organizations (PEOs)
• Janitorial and cleaning companies
• Travel agencies and tour operators
• Document management and clerical firms
• Facilities management contractors