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 Sales Workers
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.
SOC Example
Insurance Sales Supervisor, Real Estate Sales Supervisor, Telemarketer Supervisor
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.
SOC Example
Cashier Supervisor, Delicatessen Department Manager
Retail Sales Workers
SOC Description
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks. Excludes ??Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers? (41-2012).
SOC Example
Cash Register Operator, Grocery Checker, Toll Collector
SOC Description
Exchange coins, tokens, and chips for patrons?? money. May issue payoffs and obtain customer??s signature on receipt. May operate a booth in the slot machine area and furnish change persons with money bank at the start of the shift, or count and audit money in drawers. Excludes ??Cashiers? (41-2011).
SOC Example
Mutuel Teller, Slot Attendant
SOC Description
Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment. Excludes ??Fast Food and Counter Workers? (35-3023), ??Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks? (43-4081), ??Order Clerks? (43-4151), and ??Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks? (43-4181).
SOC Example
Car Rental Agent, Dry Cleaning Counter Clerk
SOC Description
Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
SOC Example
Auto Parts Salesperson, Electronic Parts Salesperson
SOC Description
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers. Excludes ??Cashiers? (41-2011).
SOC Example
Used Car Salesperson, Women's Apparel Salesperson
SOC Description
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, or appliances and earn a commission on revenue from sales transactions. Excludes "Cashiers" (41-2011) and "Retail Salespersons (Non-Commissioned Sales)" (41-2031).
SOC Example
New Car Salesperson
Sales Representatives, Services
SOC Description
Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
SOC Example
Advertising Account Executive, Display Advertising Sales Representative, Yellow Pages Space Salesperson
SOC Description
Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.
SOC Example
Life Insurance Salesperson, Pension Agent
SOC Description
Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.
SOC Example
Investment Banker, Securities Trader, Stock Broker
SOC Description
Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers. Determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs, and accommodations required. May also describe, plan, and arrange itineraries and sell tour packages. May assist in resolving clients?? travel problems.
SOC Example
Corporate Travel Expert, Travel Service Consultant
SOC Description
Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems. Excludes ??Advertising Sales Agents? (41-3011), ??Insurance Sales Agents? (41-3021), ??Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents? (41-3031), ??Travel Agents? (41-3041), ??Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing? (41-4010), and ??Telemarketers? (41-9041).
SOC Description
Advise customers about necessary service for routine maintenance. Help identify a mechanical problem by questioning the customer or doing a visual inspection or road test. Confer with customers about inspection results, recommend corrective procedures, and prepare work order for needed repairs. Write a brief description of the problem on the repair order to help the mechanic locate the problem. Explain the work performed and the charges to the customer. Handle customer complaints.
SOC Example
Service Advisor, Auto Advisor, Auto Service Advisor
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
SOC Description
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education. Excludes ??Sales Engineers? (41-9031).
SOC Example
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Surgical Instruments Sales Representative, Wholesale Ultrasonic Equipment Salesperson
SOC Description
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
SOC Example
Hotel Supplies Salesperson, Pulpwood Dealer, Wholesale Diamond Broker
Other Sales and Related Workers
SOC Description
Demonstrate merchandise and answer questions for the purpose of creating public interest in buying the product. May sell demonstrated merchandise.
SOC Example
Home Demonstrator, In-Store Demonstrator
SOC Description
Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.
SOC Example
Fashion Model, Hand Model, Photographer's Model
SOC Description
Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions. Other duties usually include selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.
SOC Example
Licensed Real Estate Broker
SOC Description
Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.
SOC Example
Apartment Rental Agent, Right of Way Agent
SOC Description
Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering. Excludes ??Engineers? (17-2011 through 17-2199) whose primary function is not marketing or sales.
SOC Example
Aerospace Products Sales Engineer, Missile Navigation Systems Sales Engineer, Nuclear Equipment Sales Engineer
SOC Description
Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.
SOC Example
Telemarketing Sales Representative, Telephone Solicitor
SOC Description
Sell goods or services door-to-door or on the street.
SOC Example
Newspaper Carrier, Peddler, Souvenir Street Vendor
SOC Description
All sales and related workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Auctioneer, Blood Donor Recruiter, Personal Shopper, Store Gift Wrap Associate