What is a SOC Code?
Complete Guide to Standard Occupational Classification
Learn what SOC codes are, why they matter for job seekers, and how to find your occupation's code to research salaries effectively.
What is a SOC Code?
A Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code is a federal classification system developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to organize occupations into hierarchical categories for statistical analysis and reporting.
Format
SOC codes follow the format XX-XXXX, where the first two digits represent the major group and the last four digits represent the detailed occupation.
Current Version
Wage Atlas uses SOC 2018 codes for consistent occupation identification across all salary data and career insights.
The SOC system helps standardize how occupations are classified across government agencies, employers, and data providers, making it easier to compare salary data and employment statistics.
Why SOC Codes Matter
Job Postings
Many employers include SOC codes in job postings to help with government reporting and data collection.
Government Agencies
Federal and state agencies use SOC codes for labor market analysis, immigration processing, and economic reporting.
Salary Data
Salary data from the BLS and other sources is organized by SOC codes, making it essential for accurate research.
Role Comparison
SOC codes help you compare similar roles across different industries and geographic locations.
How to Find Your SOC Code
Check Job Postings
Many job postings include SOC codes in the job description or requirements section. Look for a code in the format XX-XXXX near the job title or in the job details.
Use Wage Atlas Search
Search for your occupation on Wage Atlas. You can search by job title or directly by SOC code. The SOC code will be displayed on every occupation salary page.
Visit BLS Website
Use the official BLS SOC website to browse occupations by category and find your specific code. This is the authoritative source for SOC classifications.
Visit BLS SOC WebsiteSearch by Occupation Name
Enter your job title in the Wage Atlas search bar. Our system will match it to the correct SOC code and display salary data for that occupation.
Understanding SOC Code Structure
SOC codes are structured hierarchically. Understanding the structure helps you navigate the classification system.
Example: 15-1252 (Software Developer)
Common SOC Codes
Here are some popular occupations with their SOC codes. Click on any occupation to view detailed salary data.
| SOC Code | Occupation | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
15-1252 | Design and develop software applications | ||
29-1141 | Provide and coordinate patient care | ||
11-2021 | Plan and direct marketing policies | ||
15-2051 | Analyze and interpret complex data | ||
13-2051 | Conduct quantitative investment analyses | ||
25-2021 | Teach academic and social skills |
Using SOC Codes on Wage Atlas
Search by SOC Code
You can search directly by SOC code on Wage Atlas. Simply enter the code (e.g., "15-1252") in the search bar, and you'll be taken to the occupation's salary page.
Interpreting SOC Codes on Salary Pages
Every occupation salary page on Wage Atlas displays the SOC code prominently. This helps you verify you're looking at the correct occupation and makes it easy to reference in job applications or research.
SOC vs. NAICS: Occupations Are Not Industries
The single most common confusion in labor data is mixing up the two federal coding systems. SOC codes classify what a person does — their occupation. NAICS codes classify what their employer makes or sells — the industry. Every worker in America sits at the intersection of one SOC code and one NAICS code, and the two are independent.
A worked example makes it concrete. Consider an accountant (SOC 13-2011). She might work at:
- An accounting firm — NAICS 5412 (Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services)
- A hospital — NAICS 622 (Hospitals)
- A software company — NAICS 5112 (Software Publishers)
- A school district — NAICS 6111 (Elementary and Secondary Schools)
Same occupation, four different industries — and meaningfully different pay. Software publishers typically pay accountants well above the occupation's overall median; school districts typically pay below it. This is why every Wage Atlas salary page includes an industry breakdown: which industry you practice your occupation in is one of the largest pay levers you control, often worth more than a promotion within a lower-paying industry.
Reading the codes themselves is straightforward once you know the pattern. SOC codes are always two digits, a hyphen, then four digits (15-1252), where the first two digits name one of 23 major occupational groups. NAICS codes are two to six digits with no hyphen (541211), where each additional digit narrows the industry: 54 is Professional Services, 5412 is Accounting Services, 541211 is Offices of Certified Public Accountants. If a code has a hyphen, it describes a job; if it is a plain string of digits, it describes a business.
Explore industry-level wage data for any sector on our industry pages, or open any occupation's salary page to see its top-paying industries side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
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