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.
Home Health and Personal Care Aides; and Nursing Assistants, Orderlies, and Psychiatric Aides
SOC Description
Provide personalized assistance to individuals with disabilities or illness who require help with personal care and activities of daily living support (e.g., feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation). May also provide help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry. Work is performed in various settings depending on the needs of the care recipient and may include locations such as their home, place of work, out in the community, or at a daytime nonresidential facility.
SOC Example
Blind Escort, Elderly Companion, Geriatric Personal Care Aide, Caregiver
SOC Description
Monitor the health status of an individual with disabilities or illness, and address their health-related needs, such as changing bandages, dressing wounds, or administering medication. Work is performed under the direction of offsite or intermittent onsite licensed nursing staff. Provide assistance with routine healthcare tasks or activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, or ambulation. May also help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry depending on the patient??s abilities.
SOC Example
Home Health Attendant, Home Hospice Aide
SOC Description
Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants. Excludes ??Home Health Aides? (31-1121), ??Personal Care Aides? (31-1122), ??Orderlies? (31-1132), and ??Psychiatric Aides? (31-1133).
SOC Example
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Nursing Care Attendant, Nursing Aide, and Nursing Attendant, Direct Support Worker, Direct Support Provider, Direct Care Service Worker, Direct Care Provider, Direct Care Service Provider, Direct Service Worker, Nursing As
SOC Description
Transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. May maintain stocks of supplies or clean and transport equipment. Excludes ??Nursing Assistants? (31-1131). Psychiatric orderlies are included in ??Psychiatric Aides? (31-1133).
SOC Example
Hospital Orderly, Medical Orderly, Surgical Orderly
SOC Description
Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.
SOC Example
Mental Health Assistant, Mental Health Aide, Psychiatric Aide, Mental Health Worker, Residential, Patient Care Assistant, Resident Care Technician
Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
SOC Description
Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
SOC Example
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant
SOC Description
Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.
SOC Example
Occupational Rehabilitation Aide, Occupational Therapist Aide
SOC Description
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
SOC Example
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, Physiotherapy Assistant
SOC Description
Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
SOC Example
Clinical Rehabilitation Aide, Physical Therapy Aide
Other Healthcare Support Occupations
SOC Description
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
SOC Example
Deep Tissue Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist Swedish
SOC Description
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
SOC Example
Certified Dental Assistance, Orthodontic Assistant, Dental Aide
SOC Description
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician. Excludes ??Physician Assistants? (29-1071).
SOC Example
Chiropractic Assistant, Morgue Attendant, Orthopedic Cast Specialist
SOC Description
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
SOC Example
Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician), Medical Equipment Preparers, Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), Central Service Technician (CST), Instrument Technician, Sterilization Technician, Central Processing Technician (CPT
SOC Description
Transcribe medical reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare practitioners using various electronic devices, covering office visits, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. Transcribe dictated reports and translate abbreviations into fully understandable form. Edit as necessary and return reports in either printed or electronic form for review and signature, or correction.
SOC Example
Medical Stenographer, Medical Transcriber, Pathology Transcriptionist
SOC Description
Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
SOC Example
Pharmacist Assistant, Pharmacy Clerk, Prescription Clerk
SOC Description
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists. Excludes ??Animal Caretakers? (39-2021).
SOC Example
Veterinary Attendant, Veterinarian Helper
SOC Description
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
SOC Example
Phlebotomy Technician, Venipuncturist
SOC Description
All healthcare support workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Ortho/Prosthetic Aide
SOC Description
Assist in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.
SOC Example
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA), Communication Assistant, Speech Pathologist Assistant, Speech-Language Assistant, Speech and Language Assistant, Speech Therapist Technician