Top NAICS Codes for Federal Contracting by Spending

Not all NAICS codes are created equal in federal contracting. Some codes command billions in annual spending, while others barely register. If you are trying to break into government contracting or find your next opportunity, knowing which NAICS codes have the most federal spending is critical market intelligence.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the highest-spending NAICS codes in federal contracting, what kind of work each code covers, which agencies are the biggest buyers, and how to use this data to find opportunities.

541512 — Computer Systems Design Services

NAICS 541512 is one of the most heavily used codes in federal IT contracting. It covers companies that plan and design computer systems that integrate hardware, software, and communications technologies. This includes network design, systems integration, and IT architecture work.

Major buyers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and civilian agencies modernizing legacy IT systems. Top contractors in this space include companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC. The small business size standard for 541512 is $34 million in annual revenue, making it accessible for mid-size IT firms.

View 541512 spending data, top contractors, and agencies →

336411 — Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS 336411 covers the manufacture of complete aircraft, including military fighters, bombers, transports, and helicopters. This is consistently one of the top federal spending categories, driven by major defense programs like the F-35, KC-46, and Black Hawk helicopter production.

This code is dominated by large primes — Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman — but the supply chain underneath these programs creates opportunities for smaller manufacturers and subcontractors. The Air Force, Navy, and Army are the primary buyers.

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541330 — Engineering Services

NAICS 541330 covers engineering services including civil, electrical, mechanical, and environmental engineering. The federal government is one of the largest purchasers of engineering services in the world, spanning military construction, infrastructure, environmental remediation, and weapons systems engineering.

Both the Department of Defense and civilian agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, NASA, and the Department of Energy are major buyers. The small business size standard is $25.5 million, making this a competitive category for engineering firms of all sizes.

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517810 — All Other Telecommunications

NAICS 517810 covers telecommunications services not classified elsewhere, including satellite telecommunications, cable distribution, and other wired/wireless services. The federal government relies heavily on telecommunications for secure communications, satellite operations, and network infrastructure.

Defense and intelligence agencies are the primary buyers, with contracts covering everything from satellite bandwidth to secure voice communications. Companies working in this space range from large telecoms to specialized satellite and communications providers.

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517910 — Other Telecommunications

NAICS 517910 covers telecommunications resellers and agents, internet service providers operating on purchased infrastructure, and other telecommunications services. Federal contracts under this code often involve providing internet connectivity, managed network services, and telecommunications resale to government facilities.

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334290 — Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS 334290 covers manufacturers of communications equipment not classified elsewhere, including intercommunication systems, fire detection and alarm systems, and traffic signals. In federal contracting, this code often appears on contracts for specialized communications hardware, tactical radios, and electronic security systems.

The Department of Defense is the primary buyer, particularly for tactical and secure communications equipment. Companies like L3Harris and General Dynamics are major contractors in this space.

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721110 — Hotels and Motels

NAICS 721110 might seem surprising on a federal contracting list, but the government spends significant amounts on lodging. Federal contracts under this code cover temporary housing for military personnel, government travel accommodation, and lodging for federal training programs.

The Department of Defense, FEMA, and the Department of Homeland Security are common buyers, particularly for disaster response housing and temporary duty (TDY) travel.

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541511 — Custom Computer Programming Services

NAICS 541511 covers companies that write, modify, test, and support software to meet the needs of a particular customer. This is distinct from 541512 (systems design) in that it focuses specifically on software development rather than full system integration.

Nearly every federal agency procures custom software, making this one of the broadest opportunity spaces in government contracting. The size standard is $34 million, and there are significant small business set-asides in this category.

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336611 — Ship Building and Repairing

NAICS 336611 covers the construction and repair of ships, barges, and other vessels. The U.S. Navy is the dominant buyer, funding aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, and support vessels. This is one of the highest-dollar NAICS codes, with individual contracts often exceeding $10 billion.

Huntington Ingalls Industries, General Dynamics (through its Bath Iron Works and Electric Boat divisions), and Austal USA are the major shipbuilders. The supply chain for naval shipbuilding extends to thousands of subcontractors across the country.

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453210 — Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

NAICS 453210 covers retailers of office supplies, stationery, and related products. Federal contracts under this code provide office supplies to government agencies through blanket purchase agreements and GSA Schedule contracts. While individual orders are small, the aggregate spending across thousands of federal offices adds up.

View 453210 federal spending data →

How to Use NAICS Data for Business Development

Understanding NAICS spending patterns is one of the best ways to find federal contracting opportunities:

1. Identify your codes. Find the 2-5 NAICS codes that match your company's capabilities. Check the NAICS browse page to see spending levels for each.
2. Find the agencies. Each NAICS code page shows which agencies spend the most. Target your BD efforts at the agencies with the highest spend in your codes.
3. Watch for cliffs. Incumbent contracts expire. When they do, agencies need new contractors. Use ContractCliff's search to find companies with expiring contracts in your NAICS codes.
4. Check concentration. Companies with high HHI concentration scores depend heavily on one agency or contract. If their key contract is expiring, that is a major recompete opportunity.

Browse All NAICS Codes

The codes above represent some of the highest-spending and most-searched categories, but there are over 1,700 NAICS codes used in federal contracting. Browse all NAICS codes with federal spending data to find the codes relevant to your business.