Which industry receives the most federal contract money in FY2023?

Aircraft Manufacturing, with $60.1B in FY2023.

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 FY2023 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 FY2023. 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 FY2023, computed from public records. It is not an allegation about anyone on it.

Rankings

Top industries by federal contract dollars: FY2023

FY2023 · complete year · data as of 2026-07-03

≈ computed · NAICS

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Aircraft Manufacturing drew more federal contract money than any other industry in FY2023: $60.1B. 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 FY2022 is each name's change in position from FY2022; a dash means the name was not in FY2022's data.

Quick findings

Computed

The top 10 account for 54% of the $690.3B combined total of all 100 industries listed.
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing rose the most, from #125 in FY2022 to #50 in FY2023.
Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding fell the most among those listed, from #58 in FY2022 to #87 in FY2023.

Rank	Name	FY2023	FY2022	Change	Rank vs FY2022
01	Aircraft ManufacturingNAICS 336411	$60.1B	$37.2B	+61%	▲ 2
02	Engineering ServicesNAICS 541330	$48.4B	$42B	+15%	▼ 1
03	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)NAICS 541715	$44B	$35.9B	+23%	▲ 2
04	Direct Health and Medical Insurance CarriersNAICS 524114	$39.3B	$37.1B	+6%	same
05	Facilities Support ServicesNAICS 561210	$37.4B	$34.9B	+7%	▲ 1
06	Commercial and Institutional Building ConstructionNAICS 236220	$32.9B	$28.9B	+14%	▲ 2
07	Computer Systems Design ServicesNAICS 541512	$31.1B	$30.5B	+2%	same
08	Guided Missile and Space Vehicle ManufacturingNAICS 336414	$27.3B	$22.2B	+23%	▲ 3
09	Ship Building and RepairingNAICS 336611	$26.9B	$22.3B	+21%	▲ 1
10	Other Computer Related ServicesNAICS 541519	$25.5B	$23.5B	+9%	▼ 1
11	Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument ManufacturingNAICS 334511	$17.1B	$14.1B	+22%	▲ 2
12	Pharmaceutical Preparation ManufacturingNAICS 325412	$16.7B	$38B	−56%	▼ 10
13	Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 336413	$16.2B	$14.5B	+12%	▼ 1
14	All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesNAICS 541990	$14.6B	$11.8B	+24%	▲ 3
15	Administrative Management and General Management Consulting ServicesNAICS 541611	$14.3B	$13B	+10%	▲ 1
16	Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts ManufacturingNAICS 336412	$13.7B	$11.1B	+23%	▲ 2
17	Petroleum RefineriesNAICS 324110	$12.7B	$13.7B	−8%	▼ 2
18	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)NAICS 541712	$11.5B	$13.8B	−17%	▼ 4
19	Custom Computer Programming ServicesNAICS 541511	$10.6B	$9.2B	+15%	▲ 1
20	Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life SciencesNAICS 541710	$9.4B	$9.4B	0%	▼ 1
21	Other Heavy and Civil Engineering ConstructionNAICS 237990	$9.1B	$9.2B	−1%	same
22	Ammunition (except Small Arms) ManufacturingNAICS 332993	$8B	$3.9B	+108%	▲ 8
23	Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component ManufacturingNAICS 336992	$8B	$6.6B	+21%	same
24	Remediation ServicesNAICS 562910	$7.2B	$6.1B	+18%	same
25	Other Support Activities for Air TransportationNAICS 488190	$6.6B	$6.9B	−4%	▼ 3
26	Security Guards and Patrol ServicesNAICS 561612	$5.7B	$5.2B	+10%	same
27	Software PublishersNAICS 511210	$5.3B	$4.8B	+10%	same
28	Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)NAICS 541714	$5.1B	$2.8B	+81%	▲ 10
29	Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 334220	$4.4B	$3.7B	+17%	▲ 3
30	Medicinal and Botanical ManufacturingNAICS 325411	$4B	$4.5B	−13%	▼ 2
31	All Other Miscellaneous ManufacturingNAICS 339999	$3.9B	$3B	+28%	▲ 5
32	Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air TransportationNAICS 481212	$3.8B	$3.9B	−1%	▼ 3
33	Electronic Computer ManufacturingNAICS 334111	$3.7B	$3.8B	−4%	▼ 2
34	Computer Facilities Management ServicesNAICS 541513	$3.3B	$3.3B	+1%	▼ 1
35	Deep Sea Freight TransportationNAICS 483111	$3.3B	$2.6B	+23%	▲ 5
36	Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant WholesalersNAICS 423850	$3.2B	$2.1B	+50%	▲ 12
37	Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related ServicesNAICS 518210	$3.1B	$2.6B	+19%	▲ 4
38	Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)NAICS 621111	$2.9B	$2.9B	+2%	▼ 1
39	Highway, Street, and Bridge ConstructionNAICS 237310	$2.8B	$2.1B	+33%	▲ 8
40	Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air TransportationNAICS 481211	$2.7B	$2.4B	+16%	▲ 3
41	All Other Support ServicesNAICS 561990	$2.6B	$1.5B	+73%	▲ 20
42	Wired Telecommunications CarriersNAICS 517110	$2.5B	$2.7B	−9%	▼ 3
43	Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting ServicesNAICS 541614	$2.3B	$1.8B	+33%	▲ 10
44	Hazardous Waste Treatment and DisposalNAICS 562211	$2.3B	$2B	+18%	▲ 7
45	Other Communications Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 334290	$2.3B	$2.1B	+5%	▲ 1
46	Advertising AgenciesNAICS 541810	$2.1B	$1.5B	+35%	▲ 14
47	Other Scientific and Technical Consulting ServicesNAICS 541690	$2B	$2.1B	−1%	▲ 2
48	Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and RefiningNAICS 331410	$2B	$2.2B	−8%	▼ 3
49	Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant WholesalersNAICS 424210	$2B	$1.8B	+13%	▲ 3
50	Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts ManufacturingNAICS 336415	$2B	$543M	+269%	▲ 75
51	Janitorial ServicesNAICS 561720	$2B	$2B	+1%	▼ 1
52	In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance ManufacturingNAICS 325413	$2B	$5.2B	−63%	▼ 27
53	Research and Development in BiotechnologyNAICS 541711	$1.9B	$988.2M	+92%	▲ 27
54	Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and MaintenanceNAICS 811219	$1.9B	$2.2B	−16%	▼ 10
55	Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant WholesalersNAICS 423450	$1.8B	$1.7B	+8%	same
56	Architectural ServicesNAICS 541310	$1.8B	$853.2M	+112%	▲ 36
57	General Medical and Surgical HospitalsNAICS 622110	$1.6B	$1.5B	+6%	▲ 2
58	Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment ManufacturingNAICS 336419	$1.6B	$1.6B	+3%	▼ 1
59	Commercial BakeriesNAICS 311812	$1.6B	$1.5B	+9%	▲ 3
60	Automobile ManufacturingNAICS 336111	$1.6B	$1.3B	+24%	▲ 6
61	Surgical Appliance and Supplies ManufacturingNAICS 339113	$1.6B	$1.3B	+22%	▲ 4
62	Surgical and Medical Instrument ManufacturingNAICS 339112	$1.5B	$1.2B	+28%	▲ 7
63	Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger ManufacturingNAICS 332410	$1.5B	$2.5B	−41%	▼ 21
64	Offices of Certified Public AccountantsNAICS 541211	$1.5B	$1.2B	+24%	▲ 7
65	Environmental Consulting ServicesNAICS 541620	$1.4B	$1.2B	+24%	▲ 7
66	Truck Trailer ManufacturingNAICS 336212	$1.4B	$508.6M	+171%	▲ 65
67	Other Technical and Trade SchoolsNAICS 611519	$1.4B	$1.4B	−1%	▼ 4
68	Other Electronic Component ManufacturingNAICS 334419	$1.3B	$952.7M	+40%	▲ 16
69	Temporary Help ServicesNAICS 561320	$1.3B	$1.3B	+5%	▼ 1
70	Other Activities Related to Credit IntermediationNAICS 522390	$1.3B	$1.2B	+10%	same
71	All Other Miscellaneous Food ManufacturingNAICS 311999	$1.3B	$1.6B	−19%	▼ 15
72	All Other Specialty Trade ContractorsNAICS 238990	$1.3B	$746M	+75%	▲ 28
73	Support Activities for ForestryNAICS 115310	$1.2B	$1B	+19%	▲ 3
74	Food Service ContractorsNAICS 722310	$1.2B	$1.1B	+7%	same
75	Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures ConstructionNAICS 237110	$1.2B	$889M	+32%	▲ 12
76	Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories ManufacturingNAICS 332994	$1.2B	$975M	+20%	▲ 7
77	Professional and Management Development TrainingNAICS 611430	$1.1B	$983.3M	+15%	▲ 4
78	Research and Development in the Social Sciences and HumanitiesNAICS 541720	$1.1B	$1.3B	−12%	▼ 11
79	Analytical Laboratory Instrument ManufacturingNAICS 334516	$1.1B	$1.1B	−3%	▼ 6
80	Industrial Building ConstructionNAICS 236210	$1.1B	$612M	+81%	▲ 37
81	Explosives ManufacturingNAICS 325920	$1.1B	$522.9M	+108%	▲ 48
82	Satellite TelecommunicationsNAICS 517410	$1.1B	$1.1B	0%	▼ 7
83	Human Resources Consulting ServicesNAICS 541612	$1.1B	$860.1M	+23%	▲ 7
84	Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning ContractorsNAICS 238220	$1B	$1B	0%	▼ 6
85	Other Measuring and Controlling Device ManufacturingNAICS 334519	$991.5M	$787.6M	+26%	▲ 13
86	Electric Power DistributionNAICS 221122	$981.9M	$981.7M	0%	▼ 4
87	Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and ExtrudingNAICS 331491	$972M	$1.6B	−39%	▼ 29
88	Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation ContractorsNAICS 238210	$944.9M	$852.9M	+11%	▲ 5
89	All Other TelecommunicationsNAICS 517919	$929M	$1B	−11%	▼ 12
90	Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact CentersNAICS 561422	$915.4M	$860.3M	+6%	▼ 1
91	Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)NAICS 623110	$908.2M	$834M	+9%	▲ 4
92	Other Warehousing and StorageNAICS 493190	$890.8M	$856.2M	+4%	▼ 1
93	Fruit and Vegetable CanningNAICS 311421	$888.5M	$818.6M	+9%	▲ 3
94	Small Arms Ammunition ManufacturingNAICS 332992	$874.8M	$777.4M	+13%	▲ 5
95	Other Management Consulting ServicesNAICS 541618	$865.3M	$913.3M	−5%	▼ 9
96	Office Administrative ServicesNAICS 561110	$853.4M	$918.1M	−7%	▼ 11
97	Flight TrainingNAICS 611512	$853.3M	$847.3M	+1%	▼ 3
98	Colleges, Universities, and Professional SchoolsNAICS 611310	$799.8M	$698.5M	+15%	▲ 8
99	Other Accounting ServicesNAICS 541219	$796.7M	$658.6M	+21%	▲ 11
100	Irradiation Apparatus ManufacturingNAICS 334517	$773.2M	$701.2M	+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 FY2023?: Aircraft Manufacturing, with $60.1B in FY2023.
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 FY2023 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 FY2023. 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 FY2023, 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.