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 Construction and Extraction Workers
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
SOC Example
Carpenter Supervisor, Quarry Boss, Rig Supervisor, Solar Panel Installation Supervisor
Construction Trades Workers
SOC Description
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.
SOC Example
Boiler Maker, Boiler Mechanic, Boiler Repairman, Boiler Service Technician, Boiler Technician, Boilermaker, Boilermaker Mechanic, Boilermaker Pipe Fitter, Boilermaker Welder
SOC Description
Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures. Installers of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units are classified in ??Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers? (37-3011). Excludes ??Stonemasons? (47-2022).
SOC Example
Adobe Layer, Brick Chimney Builder, Refractory Bricklayer
SOC Description
Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.
SOC Example
Curbstone Setter, Granite Setter, Monument Mason
SOC Description
Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
SOC Example
Building Carpenter, Custom Wood Stair Builder, Wood Floor Layer
SOC Description
Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials. Excludes ??Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles? (47-2042).
SOC Example
Carpet Layer, Wall-to-Wall Carpet Installer
SOC Description
Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.
SOC Example
Composition Floor Layer, Cork Floor Installer, Linoleum Installer, Shock-Absorption Floor Installer
SOC Description
Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
SOC Example
Floor Sanding Machine Operator, Floor Scraper, Hardwood Finisher
SOC Description
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
SOC Example
Ceramic Tile Installer, Hard Tile Setter, Marble Ceiling Installer, parquet Floor Layer
SOC Description
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints. Installers of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units are classified in ??Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers? (37-3011).
SOC Example
Cement Patcher, Concrete Floor Installer, Concrete Swimming Pool Installer
SOC Description
Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.
SOC Example
Onyx-Chip Terrazzo Worker, Terrazzo Grinder, Terrazzo Setter
SOC Description
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers. Construction laborers who primarily assist a particular craft worker are classified under ??Helpers, Construction Trades? (47-3010). Excludes ??Hazardous Materials Removal Workers? (47-4041).
SOC Example
Air Hammer Operator, Construction Craft Laborer, Construction Trench Digger
SOC Description
Operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways or for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Includes concrete and asphalt paving machine operators, form tampers, tamping machine operators, and stone spreader operators.
SOC Example
Asphalt Roller Operator, Blacktop-Paver Operator, Road Grader
SOC Description
Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
SOC Example
Hydraulic Pile Hammer Operator, Vibratory Pile Driver
SOC Description
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties. Excludes ??Extraction Workers? (47-5000) and ??Crane and Tower Operators? (53-7021).
SOC Example
Bulldozer Operator, Steam Shovel Operator
SOC Description
Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material. Excludes ??Carpenters? (47-2031), ??Carpet Installers? (47-2041), and ??Tile and Stone Setters? (47-2044).
SOC Example
Acoustical Ceiling Installer, Drywall Finisher, Sheet Rock Hanger
SOC Description
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
SOC Example
Drywall Taper, Sheet Rock Taper, Wall Taper
SOC Description
Maintain and remove trees and other vegetation to ensure the proper functioning of electric power lines and equipment without interference.
SOC Example
Utility Arborist
SOC Description
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems. Excludes ??Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers? (49-2098).
SOC Example
Electrical Sign Wirer, Master Electrician, Solar Photovoltaic Electrician
SOC Description
Install glass in windows, skylights, store fronts, and display cases, or on surfaces, such as building fronts, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.
SOC Example
Plate Glass Installer, Stained Glass Joiner
SOC Description
Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
SOC Example
Ceiling Insulation Blower, Composition Weatherboard Installer, Interior Surface Insulation Worker
SOC Description
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
SOC Example
Boiler Coverer, Pipe Coverer, Pipe Insulator
SOC Description
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency. Excludes ??Paperhangers? (47-2142).
SOC Example
Bridge Painter, House Painter, Traffic Line Painter
SOC Description
Cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards. May remove old materials or prepare surfaces to be papered.
SOC Example
Billboard Poster, Wall Covering Installer, Wallpaperer
SOC Description
Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints. Excludes ??Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers? (51-4121).
SOC Example
Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, Cast-Iron Drain Pipe Layer, Trench Pipe Layer, Water Main Pipe Layer
SOC Description
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
SOC Example
Fire Sprinkler Installer, Solar Thermal Installer, Sprinkler Fitter, Journeyman Plumber
SOC Description
Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
SOC Example
Ornamental Plasterer, Stucco Worker, Swimming Pool Plasterer
SOC Description
Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. Use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.
SOC Example
Post Tensioning Iron Worker, Steel Rod Buster
SOC Description
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
SOC Example
Hot Tar Roofer, Shingles Roofer, Terra Cotta Roofer
SOC Description
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
SOC Example
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Sheet Metal Installer; Sheet Metal Former; Tinsmith
SOC Description
Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings. Excludes ??Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers? (47-2171).
SOC Example
Bridge Ironworker, Precast Concrete Ironworker, Wind Turbine Erector
SOC Description
Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks. Excludes solar PV electricians who are included in ??Electricians? (47-2111) and solar thermal installers who are included in ??Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters? (47-2152).
SOC Example
Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Technician, Solar PV Installer
Helpers, Construction Trades
SOC Description
All construction trades helpers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Cellulose Insulation Helper, Drywall Hanger Helper, Rod Buster Helper, Terrazzo Finisher Helper
SOC Description
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist carpenters are classified under ??Construction Laborers? (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
SOC Example
Carpenter Assistant, Hardwood Floor Installation Helper
SOC Description
Help roofers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist roofers are classified under ??Construction Laborers? (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
SOC Example
hot Tar Roofer Helper, Shingles Roofer Helper, Slate Roofer Helper, Terra Cotta Roofer Helper
SOC Description
Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers are classified under ??Construction Laborers? (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
SOC Example
Industrial Gas Fitter Helper, Marine Pipefitter Helper, Plumber Assistant, Water Main Installer Helper
SOC Description
Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist electricians are classified under ??Construction Laborers? (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
SOC Example
Marine Electrician Helper, Stage Electrician helper
SOC Description
Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons or tile and marble setters are classified under ??Construction Laborers? (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
SOC Example
Brick Carrier, Brick Washer, Refractory Tile Helper
SOC Description
Help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons are classified under ??Construction Laborers? (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
SOC Example
Bridge Painter Helper, Dry Plasterer Helper, Wallpaperer Helper
Other Construction and Related Workers
SOC Description
Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.
SOC Example
Electrical Inspector, Elevator Inspector, Highway Inspector
SOC Description
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
SOC Example
Elevator Mechanic, Escalator Installer, Hydraulic Elevator Constructor
SOC Description
Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.
SOC Example
Wire Fence Builder, Wood Fence Installer
SOC Description
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
SOC Example
Asbestos Abatement Worker, Decontamination Worker, Irradiated Fuel Handler
SOC Description
Maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Duties include patching broken or eroded pavement and repairing guard rails, highway markers, and snow fences. May also mow or clear brush from along road, or plow snow from roadway. Excludes ??Tree Trimmers and Pruners? (37-3013).
SOC Example
Road Patcher, Road Sign Installer
SOC Description
Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.
SOC Example
Rail Maintenance Worker, Track Repairer, Track Surfacing Machine Operator
SOC Description
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
SOC Example
Electric Sewer Cleaning Machine Operator, Septic Tank Cleaner, Sewage Screen Operator
SOC Description
Lay out, cut, and place segmental paving units. Includes installers of bedding and restraining materials for the paving units.
SOC Example
Concrete Pavement Installer, Paving Stone Installer
SOC Description
All construction and related workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Aluminum Pool Installer, Waterproofer
Extraction Workers
SOC Description
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
SOC Example
Rotary Derrick Operator, Well Service Derrick Worker
SOC Description
Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration. Excludes ??Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas? (47-5023).
SOC Example
Oil Well Cable Tool Operator, Oil Well Driller
SOC Description
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
SOC Example
Well Servicing Rig Operator
SOC Description
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
SOC Description
Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
SOC Description
Perform duties using tools/machines/devices to remove all the remaining rock or clay from a pregnant solution. Move Material to de-areator tanks. Clarify solution.
SOC Description
Operate one or several types of power mining equipment. Operate off road heavy haul units topside. Must perform pre-operation inspection and light mechanical duties safely. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties. Exclude "Crane and Tower Operators".
SOC Example
Heavy Equipment Operator, Mining Equipment Operator
SOC Description
Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.
SOC Example
Blast Setter, Dynamiter, Explosive Technician
SOC Description
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
SOC Example
Continuous Mining Machine Lode Miner, Self-Propelled Mining Machine Operator
SOC Description
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
SOC Description
Operate underground loading or moving machine to load or move core, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
SOC Description
Operate one or several types of power mining equipment. Operate off road heavy haul units underground. Must perform pre-operation inspection and light mechanical duties safely. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties. Exclude "Crane and Tower Operators".
SOC Example
Heavy Equipment Operator, Mining Equipment Operator
SOC Description
Perform duties using tools/machines/devices to remove all the remaining rock or clay from a pregnant solution. Move Material to de-areator tanks. Clarify solution.
SOC Description
All underground mining machine operators not listed separately.
SOC Example
Dry Placer Machine Operator, Rock Dust Sprayer
SOC Description
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
SOC Example
Quarry Plug and Feather Driller, Sandstone Splitter
SOC Description
Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
SOC Example
Oil Field Roustabout, Oil Rig Roughneck
SOC Description
Help extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying equipment or cleaning work area. Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
SOC Example
Blaster Helper, Mining Helper, Roof Bolter Helper, Driller Helper
SOC Description
All extraction workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Sandfill Operator
SOC Description
Remove ore, coal or rock from the earth using hand or handheld power tools. May build and install wall and ceiling supports, develop ventilation or lay track.
SOC Example
Ore Miner, Rock Miner