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 Production Workers
SOC Description
Supervise and coordinate the activities of workers processing fish, shellfish or other seafood products. Oversee quality control procedures. May train or instruct workers. May perform the duties of a buyer's representative. Exclude team or work leaders
SOC Example
Slime Line Supervisor
SOC Description
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.
SOC Example
Assembly Line Supervisor, Machinist Supervisor, Printing Worker Supervisor
Assemblers and Fabricators
SOC Description
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
SOC Example
Aircraft De-Icer Installer, Aircraft Fuselage Framer, Aircraft Riveter
SOC Description
Wind wire coils used in electrical components, such as resistors and transformers, and in electrical equipment and instruments, such as field cores, bobbins, armature cores, electrical motors, generators, and control equipment.
SOC Example
Coil Builder, Motor Winder, Wire Coiler
SOC Description
Assemble or modify electrical or electronic equipment, such as computers, test equipment telemetering systems, electric motors, and batteries.
SOC Example
Anode Builder, Battery Builder, Circuit Board Assembler, Electric Motor Controls Assembler
SOC Description
Assemble or modify electromechanical equipment or devices, such as servomechanisms, gyros, dynamometers, magnetic drums, tape drives, brakes, control linkage, actuators, and appliances.
SOC Example
Programmable Logic Controller Assembler, Synchronous Motor Assembler, Vacuum Cleaner Assembler, Vending Machine Assembler
SOC Description
Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.
SOC Example
Gas Turbine Assembler, Machine Builder, Steam Turbine Assembler
SOC Description
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products. Shipfitters are included in ??Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic? (51-4192).
SOC Example
Mill Beam Fitter, Protector Plate Attacher
SOC Description
Laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other products.
SOC Example
Fiberglass Boat Builder, Fiberglass Ski Maker
SOC Description
Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components. Watchmakers are included in ??Watch and Clock Repairers? (49-9064).
SOC Description
Work as part of a team having responsibility for assembling an entire product or component of a product. Team assemblers can perform all tasks conducted by the team in the assembly process and rotate through all or most of them, rather than being assigned to a specific task on a permanent basis. May participate in making management decisions affecting the work. Includes team leaders who work as part of the team. Assemblers who continuously perform the same task are classified elsewhere in 51-2000.
SOC Example
Team Assembly Line Machine Operator, Lead Team Assembler, Team Automobile Assembler
SOC Description
All assemblers and fabricators not listed separately.
SOC Example
Air Bag Builder, Crate Builder, Doll Maker
SOC Description
Assemble furniture.
Food Processing Workers
SOC Description
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods. Pastry chefs in restaurants and hotels are included with ??Chefs and Head Cooks? (35-1011).
SOC Example
Bagel Maker, Bread Baker, Pastry Finisher
SOC Description
Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
SOC Example
Butcher Apprentice, Kosher Butcher, Meat Carver, Meat Counter Worker
SOC Description
Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments. Excludes ??Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers? (51-3022) who perform routine meat cutting.
SOC Example
Halal Meat Packer, Poultry Slaughter, Shochet
SOC Description
Perform a variety of routine tasks in canning, freezing, preserving, or packing seafood products involving a combination of handwork and machinery. Duties may include sorting, grading, washing, cutting, trimming, cleaning, or slicing seafood in preparation for canning, freezing or smoking. Operate or tend machines, except Baader equipment, to prepare product for shipment. Monitor the quality of the product.
SOC Example
Fish Filleter
SOC Description
Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
SOC Example
Fish Filleter, Oyster Shucker, Poultry Eviscerator, Shrimp Picker
SOC Description
Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.
SOC Example
Coffee Roaster, Fish Smoker, Meat Curer, Smokehouse Worker
SOC Description
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.
SOC Example
Frozen Yogurt Maker, Honey Blender, Peanut Butter Maker
SOC Description
Set up and operate processing equipment used in the production and packing of surimi. Monitor the quality of the product. May sort and grade fish.
SOC Example
Surimi Technician
SOC Description
Sort and grade fish eggs (roe) by size, color, condition, or weight. Harvest, process and pack roe. Monitor the quality of the product.
SOC Example
Fish Roe Technician
SOC Description
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products. Excludes ??Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders? (51-3091).
SOC Example
Doughnut Machine Operator, Dumpling Machine Operator, Potato Chip Fryer
SOC Description
All food processing workers not listed separately
SOC Example
Olive Pitter, Poultry Hanger, Yeast Maker
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
SOC Example
Wire Drawing Machine Tender
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
SOC Example
Cold Header Operator, Forging Roll Operator, Spike Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
SOC Example
Brass Roller, Forming Roll Operator, Plastic Straightening Roll Operator, Steel Roller
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
SOC Example
Engine Lathe Operator, Gear Cutter, Screw Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
SOC Example
Metal Milling Machine Operator, Plastic Thread Milling Machine Setup Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
SOC Example
Aluminum Polisher, Jewel Bearing Facer, Metal Grinder, Tool Polishing Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
SOC Example
Crimping Machine Operator for Metal, Metal Punch Press Operator, Metal Slitter
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
SOC Example
Boring Mill Operator for Metal, Drill Press Operator for Metal, Radial Drill Press Operator for Plastic
SOC Description
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures. Machinists who primarily program or operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment are classified in ??Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers? (51-9160).
SOC Example
Automotive Machinist, Gear Machinist, Production Machinist, CNC Machinist
SOC Description
Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel. Excludes ??Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic? (51-4191).
SOC Example
Electric Arc Furnace Operator, Smelter Operator
SOC Description
Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.
SOC Example
Ingot Caster, Molten Iron Pourer, Steel Pourer
SOC Description
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.
SOC Example
Metal Mockup Maker, Plastic Jig and Fixture Builder
SOC Description
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
SOC Example
Pattern Fitter, Stencil Cutter
SOC Description
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries. Excludes ??Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic? (51-4072) and ??Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic? (51-9195).
SOC Example
Airset Caster, Green Sand Molder, Wax Pattern Coater
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
SOC Example
Aluminum Molding Machine Operator, Blow Mold Operator, Plastic Cup Fabricating Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
SOC Example
Combination Machine Tool Operator, Multi-operation Forming Machine Setter
SOC Description
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists?? hand tools.
SOC Example
Jig Bore Tool Maker, Metal Die Finisher, Metal Gauge Maker
SOC Description
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
SOC Example
Arc Welder, Cutting Torch Operator, pipe Welder, Silver Solderer
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
SOC Example
Electric Beam Welder Setter, Ultrasonic Welding Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution. Excludes ??Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders? (51-9124).
SOC Example
Anodizer, Galvanized, Nickel Plater
SOC Description
All metal workers and plastic workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Electrical Discharge Machine Setup Operator, Metal Rivet Machine Operator, Tin Recovery Worker
SOC Description
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
SOC Example
Tool Grinding Machine Operator
SOC Description
Lay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces, such as sheets, plates, tubes, structural shapes, castings, or machine parts, for further processing. Includes shipfitters.
SOC Example
Shipfitter Apprentice
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, anneal, or heat treat metal or plastic objects.
SOC Example
Annealing Furnace Operator, Induction Machine Setter, Wire Temperer
Printing Workers
SOC Description
Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Includes digital and photo typesetting. May produce printing plates.
SOC Example
Digital Proofing and Platemaker, Photoengraver, Plate Mounter
SOC Description
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
SOC Example
Gravure Press Operator, Offset Press Operator, Web Press Operator
SOC Description
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
SOC Example
Bookbinder, Bookbinding Machine Operator
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers
SOC Description
Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
SOC Example
Laundry Attendant, Laundry Equipment Operator, Laundry Sorter
SOC Description
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
SOC Example
Clothes Ironer, Pants Presser, Wool Presser
SOC Description
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
SOC Example
Blind Stitch Machine Operator, Button Sewing Machine Operator, Custom T-Shirt Embroidery Machine Operator
SOC Description
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
SOC Example
Cobbler, Saddle Maker, Shoemaker
SOC Description
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
SOC Example
Arch Cushion Press Operator, Lasting Machine Operator, Rasper Machine Operator
SOC Description
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
SOC Example
Hand Quilter, Hand Stitcher
SOC Description
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
SOC Example
Alternations Tailor, Coat Maker, Vest Maker
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.
SOC Example
Rope Machine Setter, Silk Winding Machine Operator
SOC Description
Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
SOC Example
Cloth Dyer, Rug Dyer, Skein Yarn Dyer
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
SOC Example
Canvas Cutter, Industrial Fabric Cutter, Welt Trimming Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles. Excludes ??Sewing Machine Operators? (51-6031).
SOC Example
Crochet Machine Operator, Jacquard Loom Weaver, Looping Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
SOC Example
Fiber Machine Tender, Synthetic Filament Extruder
SOC Description
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
SOC Example
Clothing Patternmaker, Embroidery Patternmaker, Fabric Pattern Grader
SOC Description
Make, repair, or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles.
SOC Example
Aircraft Seat Upholsterer, Furniture Upholsterer
SOC Description
All textile, apparel, and furnishings workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Apparel Embroidery Digitizer, Feltmaker, Hat Blocking Machine Operator
Woodworkers
SOC Description
Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles or set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, and mortisers to surface, cut, or shape lumber or to fabricate parts for wood products. Excludes ??Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders? (51-7040).
SOC Example
Cabinet Builder, Marquetry Worker, Wood Furniture Assembler
SOC Description
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
SOC Example
Furniture Sander, Piano Refinisher, Wood Cabinet Finisher
SOC Description
Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.
SOC Example
Architectural Wood Model Maker
SOC Description
Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
SOC Example
Wood Die Maker
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers. Workers who primarily program or operate CNC equipment are classified in ??Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers? (51-9160).
SOC Example
Buzz Saw Operator, Circle Saw Operator, Rip Saw Operator, Trim Saw Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Workers who primarily program or operate CNC equipment are classified in ??Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers? (51-9160).
SOC Example
Wood Dowel Machine Operator, Wood Lathe Operator, Wood Planer
SOC Description
All woodworkers not listed separately.
SOC Example
Pole Framer, Wood Carver, Wood Casket Assembler
Plant and System Operators
SOC Description
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Excludes ??Nuclear Power Reactor Operators? (51-8011).
SOC Example
Hydroelectric Plant Operator, Powerhouse Operator
SOC Description
Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
SOC Example
Steam Plant Control Room Operator, Substation Operator
SOC Description
Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.
SOC Example
Nuclear Control Room Operator, Nuclear Reactor Operator, nuclear Station Operator
SOC Description
Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
SOC Example
Boiler Engineer; Boiler Room Operator; Heating Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Mechanic, Boiler Operator
SOC Description
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
SOC Example
Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operator, Sewage Plant Operator
SOC Description
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
SOC Example
Nitric Acid Plant Operator, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Machine Operator
SOC Description
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
SOC Example
Gas Controller, Gas Plant Dispatcher
SOC Description
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
SOC Example
Hydrotreater Operator, Oil Pipeline Operator, Oil Refiner
SOC Description
All plant and system operators not listed separately.
SOC Example
Asphalt Plant Operator, Concrete Batch Plant Operator, Lime Filter Operator
Other Production Occupations
SOC Description
Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels. Excludes ??Chemical Plant and System Operators? (51-8091).
SOC Example
Acid Purification Equipment Operator, Chemical Process Equipment Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators. Excludes ??Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders? (51-9011).
SOC Example
Brew master, Fermentation Operator, Pasteurizer
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
SOC Example
Beveling and Edging Machine Operator, Industrial Coffee Grinder, Marble and Granite Polisher, Pulverizer Operator
SOC Description
Be responsible for the safe, efficient operation of the mill process in the mining industry.
SOC Description
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
SOC Example
Hand Buffer, Hand Sander, Jewelry Polisher, Knife Grinder
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients. Excludes ??Food Batchmakers? (51-3092).
SOC Example
Asphalt Blender, Clay Mixer, Ink Blender, Asphalt Mixing Machine Operator
SOC Description
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
SOC Example
Fur Trimmer, Hand Cloth Cutter
SOC Description
Set up, operate or tend machines that cut, slice, debone, fillet, or skin seafood. Maintain and repair equipment.
SOC Example
Seafood Machine Operator
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material. Excludes ??Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic? (51-4031), ??Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders? (51-6062), and ??Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders? (51-7040).
SOC Example
Glass Cutting Machine Operator, Insulation Cutter, Rubber Trimmer
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics. Excludes ??Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders? (51-6042) and ??Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders? (51-9196).
SOC Example
Brick Maker, Rubber Extrusion Operator, Sugar Presser, Concrete Block Maker, Concrete Block molder, Concrete Pipe Making Machine Operator, Precast molder, Pulp Press Tender, Pulp Machine Operator, Pretzel Twisting Machine Operator, Extruder Operator, Extr
SOC Description
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
SOC Example
Lime Kiln Operator, Lumber Kiln Operator, Rubber Curer
SOC Description
Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
SOC Example
Machined Parts Quality Inspector, Petroleum Sampler
SOC Description
Take x-rays of manufactured products, such as gas and oil pipelines, boilers and pipes, to determine their levels of durability, quality and safety.
SOC Description
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems. Includes diamond polishers and gem cutters, and persons who perform precision casting and modeling of molds, casting metal in molds, or setting precious and semiprecious stones for jewelry and related products.
SOC Example
Diamond Setter, Gemologist, Goldsmith
SOC Description
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances. Excludes ??Dental Assistants? (31-9091).
SOC Example
Crown and Bridge Technician, Dental Ceramist, Orthodontic Technician
SOC Description
Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
SOC Example
O&P Technician, Medical Appliance Technician, Orthotics Technician, Prosthetics Technician
SOC Description
Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters. Excludes ??Opticians, Dispensing ? (29-2081).
SOC Example
Eyeglass Maker, Lens Grinder, Precision Lens Centerer and Edger
SOC Description
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
SOC Example
Bottle Capper, Keg Filler, Potato Chip Packaging Machine Operator
SOC Description
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather. Excludes ??Artists and Related Workers" (27-1010), ??Designers? (27-1020), ??Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators? (51-9151), and ??Etchers and Engravers? (51-9194).
SOC Example
Ceramic Painter, China Decorator, Sign Painter
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities. Excludes ??Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic? (51-4193).
SOC Description
Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.
SOC Example
Circuit Recorder, Crystal Grower, Wafer Machine Operator
SOC Description
Perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. May perform precision tasks such as editing photographic negatives and prints.
SOC Example
Digital Photo Printer, Photo Lab Specialist, Photo Retoucher
SOC Description
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.
SOC Description
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment.
SOC Description
Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials. Excludes ??Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders? (51-6042).
SOC Example
Glue Line Operator, Glue Reel Operator, Paper Gluing Operator
SOC Description
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.
SOC Example
Acid Dipper, Degreaser Operator, Immersion Metal Cleaner
SOC Description
Operate or tend equipment such as cooling and freezing units, refrigerators, batch freezers, and freezing tunnels, to cool or freeze products, food, blood plasma, and chemicals.
SOC Example
Chiller Tender, Refrigerating Machine Operator
SOC Description
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers. Photoengravers are included in ??Prepress Technicians and Workers? (51-5111).
SOC Example
Glass Etcher, Metal Engraver
SOC Description
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
SOC Example
Cigar Roller, Glass Blower, Neon Tube Bender
SOC Description
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.
SOC Example
Box Fabricator, Carton Making Machine Operator, Corrugator Operator
SOC Description
Operate machines to build tires.
SOC Example
Auto Tire Recapper, Retreader and Tire Molder
SOC Description
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Apprentice workers are classified in the appropriate production occupations (51-0000).
SOC Example
Blending Tank Helper, Commercial Baker Helper, Welder Helper
SOC Description
All production workers not listed separately. Excludes ??Packers and Packagers, Hand? (53-7064).
SOC Example
Barrel Header, Mop Maker
SOC Description
Include all printing workers not listed separately.
SOC Example
All Other Printer Workers