Which industry receives the most federal contract money in FY2021?

Aircraft Manufacturing, with $40.7B in FY2021.

What is a NAICS code?

The North American Industry Classification System: the standard industry code the buying agency records on each federal contract. It is how the government itself categorises what it purchased.

Where does this ranking come from?

It is computed from USASpending.gov award records, which are U.S. government works and in the public domain. Each figure is the FY2021 contract dollars coded to that NAICS industry. TheFiscalFinder does the ranking; the underlying figures are the government's own.

How many industries are shown?

The top 100 for FY2021. Each row opens that industrie's own page, where the same money is broken out by year, by counterparty and by place.

Does a high position mean anything is wrong?

No. This is a description of where public money went in FY2021, computed from public records. It is not an allegation about anyone on it.

Rankings

Top industries by federal contract dollars: FY2021

FY2021 · complete year · data as of 2026-07-12

≈ computed · NAICS

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Aircraft Manufacturing drew more federal contract money than any other industry in FY2021: $40.7B. Ranked by NAICS industry code, the classification the source records on contracts. NAICS appears on contracts only, so this is a procurement view by construction. Computed

Ranked from USASpending records. FY2020 to FY2026 are loaded. Rank vs FY2020 is each name's change in position from FY2020; a dash means the name was not in FY2020's data.

Quick findings

Computed

The top 10 account for 49% of the $582.7B combined total of all 100 industries listed.
Emergency and Other Relief Services rose the most, from #167 in FY2020 to #31 in FY2021.
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction fell the most among those listed, from #20 in FY2020 to #54 in FY2021.

Rank	Name	FY2021	FY2020	Change	Rank vs FY2020
01	Aircraft ManufacturingNAICS 336411	$40.7B	$68.2B	−40%	same
02	Engineering ServicesNAICS 541330	$40B	$39.6B	+1%	same
03	Facilities Support ServicesNAICS 561210	$32.8B	$30.6B	+7%	▲ 1
04	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)NAICS 541715	$29.7B	$24.2B	+23%	▲ 3
05	Computer Systems Design ServicesNAICS 541512	$27.3B	$27.1B	+1%	same
06	Direct Health and Medical Insurance CarriersNAICS 524114	$26.9B	$15.8B	+70%	▲ 6
07	Commercial and Institutional Building ConstructionNAICS 236220	$23B	$24.8B	−8%	▼ 1
08	Other Computer Related ServicesNAICS 541519	$22.5B	$20.8B	+8%	▲ 1
09	Pharmaceutical Preparation ManufacturingNAICS 325412	$22.1B	$12.4B	+79%	▲ 6
10	Ship Building and RepairingNAICS 336611	$20.7B	$31.2B	−34%	▼ 7
11	Biological Product (except Diagnostic) ManufacturingNAICS 325414	$20.4B	$3.2B	+538%	▲ 27
12	Guided Missile and Space Vehicle ManufacturingNAICS 336414	$18.4B	$22.9B	−20%	▼ 4
13	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)NAICS 541712	$16.1B	$20.2B	−20%	▼ 3
14	Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 336413	$14B	$14.7B	−5%	▼ 1
15	Administrative Management and General Management Consulting ServicesNAICS 541611	$13.4B	$13.7B	−2%	▼ 1
16	Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument ManufacturingNAICS 334511	$13.4B	$16.7B	−20%	▼ 5
17	All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesNAICS 541990	$10.9B	$10.9B	−1%	same
18	Custom Computer Programming ServicesNAICS 541511	$8.7B	$7.2B	+20%	▲ 4
19	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life SciencesNAICS 541710	$8.5B	$8.4B	+1%	same
20	Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts ManufacturingNAICS 336412	$7.3B	$9.8B	−26%	▼ 2
21	Other Heavy and Civil Engineering ConstructionNAICS 237990	$6.7B	$7.2B	−8%	same
22	Other Support Activities for Air TransportationNAICS 488190	$6.6B	$6.6B	0%	▲ 1
23	Petroleum RefineriesNAICS 324110	$6.5B	$5.7B	+13%	▲ 3
24	Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)NAICS 621111	$5.7B	$11.1B	−49%	▼ 8
25	Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component ManufacturingNAICS 336992	$5.4B	$6.2B	−13%	▼ 1
26	Security Guards and Patrol ServicesNAICS 561612	$5.1B	$5.2B	−2%	▲ 1
27	Remediation ServicesNAICS 562910	$4.8B	$4.6B	+6%	▲ 4
28	Medicinal and Botanical ManufacturingNAICS 325411	$4.1B	$4.6B	−10%	▲ 2
29	Software PublishersNAICS 511210	$3.8B	$3.4B	+11%	▲ 8
30	Electronic Computer ManufacturingNAICS 334111	$3.8B	$4.5B	−16%	▲ 2
31	Emergency and Other Relief ServicesNAICS 624230	$3.8B	$299.1M	—	▲ 136
32	Ammunition (except Small Arms) ManufacturingNAICS 332993	$3.8B	$3.6B	+5%	▲ 3
33	Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 334220	$3.7B	$4.6B	−19%	▼ 4
34	All Other Miscellaneous Food ManufacturingNAICS 311999	$3.2B	$3.1B	+4%	▲ 5
35	Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger ManufacturingNAICS 332410	$3.1B	$1.3B	+135%	▲ 29
36	Computer Facilities Management ServicesNAICS 541513	$3.1B	$2.3B	+31%	▲ 10
37	Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air TransportationNAICS 481212	$2.8B	$3.6B	−23%	▼ 3
38	Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related ServicesNAICS 518210	$2.7B	$2.5B	+8%	▲ 6
39	Medical LaboratoriesNAICS 621511	$2.6B	$1.1B	+136%	▲ 29
40	Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)NAICS 541714	$2.6B	$2.2B	+20%	▲ 8
41	Wired Telecommunications CarriersNAICS 517110	$2.4B	$4.2B	−41%	▼ 8
42	Hazardous Waste Treatment and DisposalNAICS 562211	$2.4B	$2.4B	−2%	▲ 3
43	Surgical and Medical Instrument ManufacturingNAICS 339112	$2.3B	$3.5B	−34%	▼ 7
44	Deep Sea Freight TransportationNAICS 483111	$2.3B	$2.6B	−10%	▼ 1
45	Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant WholesalersNAICS 423850	$2.2B	$5.2B	−58%	▼ 17
46	In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance ManufacturingNAICS 325413	$2.1B	$923.9M	+124%	▲ 37
47	Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and MaintenanceNAICS 811219	$2.1B	$1.9B	+6%	▲ 4
48	Other Communications Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 334290	$2.1B	$2.6B	−21%	▼ 6
49	Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air TransportationNAICS 481211	$2B	$2.7B	−25%	▼ 8
50	Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant WholesalersNAICS 423450	$2B	$6B	−66%	▼ 25
51	Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and RefiningNAICS 331410	$2B	$1B	+93%	▲ 25
52	Surgical Appliance and Supplies ManufacturingNAICS 339113	$2B	$2.1B	−6%	▼ 3
53	All Other Miscellaneous ManufacturingNAICS 339999	$1.9B	$1.2B	+55%	▲ 12
54	Highway, Street, and Bridge ConstructionNAICS 237310	$1.9B	$8.1B	−77%	▼ 34
55	Other Scientific and Technical Consulting ServicesNAICS 541690	$1.9B	$1.9B	+1%	▼ 1
56	Janitorial ServicesNAICS 561720	$1.9B	$1.6B	+17%	same
57	Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and ExtrudingNAICS 331491	$1.8B	$1.4B	+30%	▲ 4
58	Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant WholesalersNAICS 424210	$1.7B	$1.6B	+8%	▼ 3
59	All Other Support ServicesNAICS 561990	$1.7B	$2.2B	−21%	▼ 12
60	Research and Development in BiotechnologyNAICS 541711	$1.7B	$2.9B	−40%	▼ 20
61	Refrigerated Warehousing and StorageNAICS 493120	$1.6B	$308.1M	+423%	▲ 105
62	General Medical and Surgical HospitalsNAICS 622110	$1.5B	$1.4B	+13%	same
63	Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 336419	$1.5B	$2B	−25%	▼ 13
64	Analytical Laboratory Instrument ManufacturingNAICS 334516	$1.4B	$1.5B	−4%	▼ 6
65	Other Technical and Trade SchoolsNAICS 611519	$1.4B	$1.3B	+7%	▼ 2
66	Advertising AgenciesNAICS 541810	$1.4B	$1.5B	−5%	▼ 7
67	Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting ServicesNAICS 541614	$1.4B	$1.4B	−4%	▼ 7
68	Commercial BakeriesNAICS 311812	$1.3B	$1.1B	+28%	▲ 5
69	Automobile ManufacturingNAICS 336111	$1.2B	$1.1B	+7%	▼ 2
70	Temporary Help ServicesNAICS 561320	$1.2B	$918.1M	+27%	▲ 14
71	Food Service ContractorsNAICS 722310	$1.2B	$1.1B	+9%	▼ 1
72	Other Activities Related to Credit IntermediationNAICS 522390	$1.1B	$989M	+14%	▲ 8
73	Satellite TelecommunicationsNAICS 517410	$1.1B	$1B	+7%	▲ 2
74	Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact CentersNAICS 561422	$1.1B	$774.9M	+44%	▲ 24
75	Research and Development in the Social Sciences and HumanitiesNAICS 541720	$1.1B	$1.5B	−27%	▼ 18
76	Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery ManufacturingNAICS 333318	$1.1B	$865M	+27%	▲ 13
77	Industrial Building ConstructionNAICS 236210	$1.1B	$1.9B	−45%	▼ 25
78	Offices of Certified Public AccountantsNAICS 541211	$1B	$850.4M	+23%	▲ 13
79	Environmental Consulting ServicesNAICS 541620	$1B	$1.1B	−6%	▼ 10
80	Professional and Management Development TrainingNAICS 611430	$1B	$820.3M	+26%	▲ 14
81	Irradiation Apparatus ManufacturingNAICS 334517	$1B	$726.9M	+40%	▲ 22
82	All Other TelecommunicationsNAICS 517919	$972.9M	$1.1B	−8%	▼ 10
83	Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)NAICS 623110	$951.7M	$907.5M	+5%	▲ 2
84	Other Measuring and Controlling Device ManufacturingNAICS 334519	$890.2M	$776.9M	+15%	▲ 13
85	Architectural ServicesNAICS 541310	$872.5M	$1B	−17%	▼ 11
86	Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories ManufacturingNAICS 332994	$860.3M	$877.3M	−2%	▲ 1
87	Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning ContractorsNAICS 238220	$850.7M	$946.4M	−10%	▼ 5
88	Other Electronic Component ManufacturingNAICS 334419	$842M	$994.2M	−15%	▼ 10
89	Investigation and Personal Background Check ServicesNAICS 561611	$835.1M	$570.1M	+46%	▲ 35
90	Support Activities for ForestryNAICS 115310	$833.3M	$811.6M	+3%	▲ 5
91	All Other Specialty Trade ContractorsNAICS 238990	$827.1M	$620.7M	+33%	▲ 26
92	Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts ManufacturingNAICS 336415	$805.3M	$857.3M	−6%	▼ 2
93	Colleges, Universities, and Professional SchoolsNAICS 611310	$803.1M	$725.1M	+11%	▲ 11
94	Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation ContractorsNAICS 238210	$792.1M	$657.5M	+20%	▲ 19
95	Flight TrainingNAICS 611512	$785.8M	$828.5M	−5%	▼ 2
96	Human Resources Consulting ServicesNAICS 541612	$778.3M	$714.5M	+9%	▲ 11
97	Office Administrative ServicesNAICS 561110	$769.7M	$876.8M	−12%	▼ 9
98	General Warehousing and StorageNAICS 493110	$745.8M	$568.5M	+31%	▲ 27
99	Electric Power DistributionNAICS 221122	$742.7M	$1.2B	−37%	▼ 33
100	Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus ManufacturingNAICS 334510	$706.2M	$785.6M	−10%	▼ 4

An award carries one NAICS code, chosen by the buying agency for the predominant work. Broad industries therefore absorb work that could plausibly sit in a neighbouring code.

Questions

Which industry receives the most federal contract money in FY2021?: Aircraft Manufacturing, with $40.7B in FY2021.
What is a NAICS code?: The North American Industry Classification System: the standard industry code the buying agency records on each federal contract. It is how the government itself categorises what it purchased.
Where does this ranking come from?: It is computed from USASpending.gov award records, which are U.S. government works and in the public domain. Each figure is the FY2021 contract dollars coded to that NAICS industry. TheFiscalFinder does the ranking; the underlying figures are the government's own.
How many industries are shown?: The top 100 for FY2021. Each row opens that industrie's own page, where the same money is broken out by year, by counterparty and by place.
Does a high position mean anything is wrong?: No. This is a description of where public money went in FY2021, computed from public records. It is not an allegation about anyone on it.

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Why the labels? The graph is only worth anything if the links are trusted. Facts taken straight from a federal filing are Source; figures we calculate are Computed; links we infer (corporate parents, districts, similar contractors, connections between records) are Inferred, worded carefully, never asserted as fact and never a claim that one thing caused another. Spot an error? Tell us.