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.

Supervisors of Protective Service Workers

Broad Group: First-Line Supervisors of Law Enforcement Workers
SOC Code: 33-1012 First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
SOC Example
Commanding Officer Homicide Squad, Detective Lieutenant, Police Lieutenant, Traffic Sergeant, Harbormaster
Broad Group: First-Line Supervisors of Law Enforcement Workers
SOC Code: 33-1012.51 Harbormasters
SOC Description
An official responsible for enforcing the regulations of a harbor or port,?in order to ensure the safety of navigation,?the security of the harbor, and the correct operation of the port facilities.
Broad Group: First-Line Supervisors of Law Enforcement Workers
SOC Code: 33-1011 First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
SOC Example
Corrections Sergeant, Prison Guard Supervisor
Broad Group: First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
SOC Code: 33-1021 First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
SOC Example
Fire Lieutenant, Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor, Supervising Fire Marshal
Broad Group: Miscellaneous First-Line Supervisors, Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-1091 First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
Broad Group: Miscellaneous First-Line Supervisors, Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-1099 First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other
SOC Description
All protective service supervisors not listed separately above.
SOC Example
Animal Cruelty Investigation Supervisor, Security Guard Supervisor, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Screener Supervisor

Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Broad Group: Firefighters
SOC Code: 33-2011 Firefighters
SOC Description
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
SOC Example
Fire Fighter First Responder, Firefighter, Firefighter-EMT, Firefighter-ETT
Broad Group: Fire Inspectors
SOC Code: 33-2021 Fire Inspectors and Investigators
SOC Description
Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.
SOC Example
Arson Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, Fire Hazard Inspector, Fire Prevention Inspector
Broad Group: Fire Inspectors
SOC Code: 33-2022 Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
SOC Description
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
SOC Example
Environmental Protection Fire Control Officer, Forest Fire Control Officer, Wildfire Prevention Specialist

Law Enforcement Workers

Broad Group: Bailiffs, Correctional Officers, and Jailers
SOC Code: 33-3011 Bailiffs
SOC Description
Maintain order in courts of law.
SOC Example
Court Bailiff, Court Security Officer, Deputy Bailiff
Broad Group: Bailiffs, Correctional Officers, and Jailers
SOC Code: 33-3012 Correctional Officers and Jailers
SOC Description
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
SOC Example
Certified Detention Deputy, Juvenile Corrections Officer, Prison Guard
Broad Group: Detectives and Criminal Investigators
SOC Code: 33-3021 Detectives and Criminal Investigators
SOC Description
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. Excludes ??Private Detectives and Investigators? (33-9021).
SOC Example
Deputy United States Marshal, Homicide Detective, Narcotics Investigator
Broad Group: Fish and Game Wardens
SOC Code: 33-3031 Fish and Game Wardens
SOC Description
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
SOC Example
Conservation Enforcement Officer, Wildlife and Game Protector, Wildlife Officer
Broad Group: Parking Enforcement Workers
SOC Code: 33-3041 Parking Enforcement Workers
SOC Description
Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.
SOC Example
Meter Maid, Parking Enforcement Officer
Broad Group: Police Officers
SOC Code: 33-3051 Police and Sheriff??s Patrol Officers
SOC Description
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
SOC Example
Border Patrol Officer, Motorcycle Police, Park Police, State Trooper
Broad Group: Police Officers
SOC Code: 33-3052 Transit and Railroad Police
SOC Description
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
SOC Example
Railroad Detective, Track patrol, Transit Authority Police

Other Protective Service Workers

Broad Group: Animal Control Workers
SOC Code: 33-9011 Animal Control Workers
SOC Description
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
SOC Example
Animal Control Officer, Animal Warden, Dog Catcher, Humane Officer
Broad Group: Private Detectives and Investigators
SOC Code: 33-9021 Private Detectives and Investigators
SOC Description
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
SOC Example
Private Eye, Skip Tracer, Store Detective
Broad Group: Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers
SOC Code: 33-9031 Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators
SOC Description
Observe gambling operation for irregular activities such as cheating or theft by either employees or patrons. Investigate potential threats to gambling assets such as money, chips, and gambling equipment. Act as oversight and security agent for management and customers.
SOC Example
Casino Investigator, Casino Surveillance Officer, Gambling Monitor
Broad Group: Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers
SOC Code: 33-9032 Security Guards
SOC Description
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment. Excludes ??Police Officers? (33-3050) and ??Transportation Security Screeners? (33-9093).
SOC Example
Bank Guard, Bodyguard, Bouncer
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9091 Crossing Guards and Flaggers
SOC Description
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
SOC Example
Crossing Guard, Construction Flagger
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9092 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
SOC Description
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
SOC Example
Beach Lifeguard, Outdoor Emergency Care Technician
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9093 Transportation Security Screeners
SOC Description
Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. May operate basic security equipment such as x-ray machines and hand wands at screening checkpoints.
SOC Example
Airport Baggage Screener, Airport Security Screener, Transportation Security Officer, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Screener. Only ones here are those enforcing TSA Regulations.
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9094 School Bus Monitors
SOC Description
Maintain order among students on a school bus. Duties include helping students safely board and exit and communicating behavioral problems. May perform pretrip and posttrip inspections and prepare for and assist in emergency evacuations.
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9099 Protective Service Workers, All Other
SOC Description
All protective service workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Playground Monitor, Warrant Server, Wal-Mart Greeters, Village Police Officers
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9099.51 Village Public Safety Officers
SOC Description
Act as first responders to public safety emergencies such as search and rescue, fire protection, emergency medical assistance, crime prevention and basic law enforcement in villages.
SOC Example
VPSO, Village Public Safety Officer
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9099.52 Marine Facilities Coordinators
SOC Description
Oversee harbor activities. Provide boat operators with information pertinent to the use of the facility and monitors float usage. Enforce all applicable ordinances and policies related to the operation and use of marine facilities, including issuing notices of violation to non-compliant users of marine and upland parking and staging facilities. Collect day-use fees. Observe vessels and notifiy vessel owners regarding dangerous conditions affecting the safety of their vessel or causing a hazard to other facility users. Inform owners/operators of defective mooring lines and whether the vessel could pose a danger to other nearby vessels or property. Perform minor maintenance activities. Assist in relocating floats as needed for winter storage. Clean and maintain the restroom facility at dock. Haul bagged trash and recyclables to dumpster.
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9099.53 Park Rangers
SOC Description
Protect and enforce rules/laws in parks/lands owned and operated by state and federal government.
SOC Example
Park Ranger
Broad Group: Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers
SOC Code: 33-9099.54 Lodging Caretakers
SOC Description
Maintain lodging buildings, properties and grounds. May do light building repairs, snow removal, mowing. Assure security and may watch over property during offseason.
SOC Example
Lodge Caretaker