Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)
Includes Alaska specific codes
The drop-down menu of major occupation groupings below provides detailed descriptions of the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes as well as examples of occupations usually given the code.
SOC is a national government system that allows agencies to collect and analyze occupational data. It allows agencies to produce various reports such as the Nonresidents report and help determine whether education programs may lead to certain occupations.
The SOC code is the six-digit code that best describes the activities of the employee. In some cases, the six-digit code has been expanded to identify occupations important to the state. For instance, seafood processing workers are coded as 51-3022.05.
The code is based on the work actually performed--not the code for jobs for which employees might be trained. For example, an employee trained as a Computer Scientist, but working primarily as a Manager, should be coded as a Manager.
An occupation that combines two different activities is reported with the code for the activity that requires the highest skill or educational level. If these levels are the same, then the code for the occupation in which the employee spends the most time is used. Employees who changed jobs during a quarter are reported in their last occupation.
Architects, Surveyors, and Cartographers
SOC Description
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
SOC Example
Golf Course Architect, Golf Course Designer, Landscape Designer
SOC Description
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. Excludes ??Landscape Architects? (17-1012) and ??Marine Engineers and Naval Architects? (17-2121).
SOC Example
Building Architect, Building Architectural Designer, Structural Architect
SOC Description
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth??s surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
SOC Example
Geodetic Surveyor, Land Surveyor, Mineral Surveyor
SOC Description
Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
SOC Example
Digital Cartographer, Mapper, Topographer
Engineers
SOC Description
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques.
SOC Example
Aeronautical Engineer, Aircraft Design Engineer, Flight Test Engineer
SOC Description
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
SOC Example
Agricultural Production Engineer, Agricultural Research Engineer, Farm Equipment Engineer
SOC Description
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and heath management and care delivery systems.
SOC Example
Biomaterials Engineer, Bio-Mechanical Engineer, Dialysis Engineer
SOC Description
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
SOC Example
Fuels Engineer, Plastics Engineer, Polymerization Engineer
SOC Description
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, and geotechnical engineers. Excludes ??Hydrologists? (19-2043).
SOC Example
Bridge Engineer, Construction Engineer, Highway Engineer
SOC Description
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components. Excludes ??Software Developers? (15-1252) and ??Web Developers? (15-1254).
SOC Example
Computer Hardware Designer, Computer Hardware Developer
SOC Description
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Excludes ??Computer Hardware Engineers? (17-2061).
SOC Example
Electrical Systems Engineer, Illuminating Engineer, Power Distribution Engineer
SOC Description
Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls. Excludes ??Computer Hardware Engineers? (17-2061).
SOC Example
Circuit Design Engineer, Electronic Design Automation Engineer, Telecommunication Engineer
SOC Description
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
SOC Example
Environmental Remediation Engineer, Pollution Control Engineer, Soil Engineer, Water Treatment Plant Engineer
SOC Description
Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.
SOC Example
Fire Protection Engineer, Industrial Safety Engineer, Product Safety Engineer
SOC Description
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination. Excludes ??Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors? (17-2111).
SOC Example
Efficiency Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Packaging Engineer, Production Engineer
SOC Description
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
SOC Example
Marine Architect, Marine Structural Designer, Naval Engineer
SOC Description
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
SOC Example
Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer, Forensic Materials Engineer, Metallographer
SOC Description
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
SOC Example
Combustion Engineer, Engine Designer, Heating and Cooling Systems Engineer, Tool and Die Engineer
SOC Description
Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs. Excludes ??Petroleum Engineers? (17-2171).
SOC Example
Geophysical Engineer, Mineral Engineer, Seismic Engineer
SOC Description
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
SOC Example
Atomic process Engineer, Nuclear Radiation Engineer, Radiation Engineer, Reactor Engineer
SOC Description
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
SOC Example
Natural Gas Engineer, Oil Drilling Engineer, oil Exploration Engineer
SOC Description
All engineers not listed separately. Excludes ??Sales Engineers? (41-9031), ??Locomotive Engineers? (53-4011), and ??Ship Engineers? (53-5031).
SOC Example
Optical Engineer, Ordnance Engineer, Photonics Engineer, Salvage Engineer
Drafters, Engineering Technicians, and Mapping Technicians
SOC Description
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
SOC Example
Building Drafter, Civil Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Technician, Structural Drafter
SOC Description
Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
SOC Example
Electrical Computer Aided Design and Drafting Technician, Electrical Systems Drafter, Printed Circuit Board Drafter
SOC Description
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
SOC Example
Aeronautical Drafter, Automotive Design Drafter, Tool and Die Designer
SOC Description
All drafters not listed separately.
SOC Example
Blueprint Tracer, Geological Drafter, Marine Drafter
SOC Description
Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
SOC Example
Geotechnical Engineering Technician, Highway Engineering Technician, Structural Engineering Technician
SOC Description
All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.
SOC Example
Agricultural Engineering Technician, Biomedical Engineering Technician, Metallurgical Engineering Technician, Optical Engineering Technician
SOC Description
Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems. Excludes ??Medical Equipment Preparers? (31-9093) and ??Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters? (51-2061).
SOC Description
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
SOC Example
Gyroscope Engineering Technician, Heat Transfer Technician, Optomechanical Technician
SOC Description
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
SOC Example
Motion Study Technician, Production Control Technologist, Time Study Technician
SOC Description
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
SOC Example
Air Analysis Engineering Technician, Environmental Remediation Engineering Technician, Pollution Control Engineering Technician
SOC Description
Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.
SOC Example
Drone Pilots
SOC Description
Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions. Excludes ??Broadcast Technicians? (27-4012).
SOC Example
Electrical Design Technician, Lighting Engineering Technician, Semiconductor Development Technician
SOC Description
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.
SOC Example
Altitude Chamber Technician, Flight Data Technician, Wind Tunnel Technician
SOC Description
Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps. Excludes ??Cartographers and Photogrammetrists? (17-1021), ??Surveyors" (17-1022), and ??Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers? (19-2042).
SOC Example
Cartographic Technician, Field Map Technician, GIS Mapping Technician