From cutting the grass to providing health care to delivering packages, service industries in the United States play an integral part in the daily activities of millions of people and businesses. These services may offer an improved standard of living, professional and technical expertise, or other essential services. The providers of such services involve all sectors of the economy including for-profit private businesses, non-profit organizations and various levels of government.

What Are Service Industries?

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) measures total national output in terms of Gross National Product (GNP). In measuring output, the BEA also identifies the industry sources of GNP. The BEA broadly defines service industries as those providing products that cannot be stored and are consumed at the place and time of purchase. Generally, these services involve only the performance of actions on behalf of the customer...