About Standard Occupational Classification codes

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes help government agencies and private businesses compare occupational data. Employers report the codes in their quarterly reports.

About SOC codes

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes are a federal coding system of job titles that helps government agencies and private businesses compare occupational data.

This data is used by:

  • Government program managers.
  • Industry and labor relations specialists.
  • Students considering career training.
  • Job seekers.
  • Vocational training schools.
  • Employers wishing to set salaries or locate a new business.

Reporting SOC codes

The Washington State Legislature passed a law requiring employers to report SOC codes or job titles in their quarterly reports for unemployment insurance. Provide a SOC code or job title for each employee in your unemployment insurance tax report to avoid a penalty.

This started with reports filed for Quarter 1 of 2024, which were due April 30, 2024. Both taxable and reimbursable employers need to report SOC codes. Reporting SOC codes does not affect your tax rates.

SOC codes are not the same as codes you submit to the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). You can read more about risk classification codes on the L&I website.

Reporting exceptions

If your employees' wages are exempt from being reported on quarterly tax and wage reports, you do not need to report their SOC codes. Exempt employees include corporate officers, sole proprietors, commission-only sales, and more. You can check our exempt professions chart (PDF, 155 KB) for more information.

Native American tribes are allowed but not required to report SOC codes by House Bill 1684. A tribe that elects to report these codes can also opt out of reporting at any time for any reason.

How to report SOC codes

  1. Log into Employer Accounts Management System (EAMS).
  2. Choose "Business."
  3. Choose "Tax and wage reporting."
  4. After you verify your business information, select the quarter you want to file for. EAMS will let you know which filing options are available.
  5. Select "I have payroll to report."
  6. Depending on the size of your business, you may choose to either input the information manually (or, "hand-key"), or upload it with a spreadsheet. If you select to manually input the information, you will need the employee's:
    • Social Security Number.
    • Name.
    • Hours worked.
    • Quarterly wages.
    • SOC code or job title.
  7. The last column will be for the employee's SOC code. The code will be 6 digits. To look up a code, select the magnifying glass icon. This will bring up a pop up with all the available SOC codes.
  8. In the upper right of the pop up, there will be a search bar for you to look up job titles to get the code you need.
  9. Enter the first 6 numbers of the SOC code. Do not include a decimal, decimal number or hyphens. Valid SOC codes do not end in a zero. ESD accepts only SOC codes that end in a 1 through 9.
  10. Select "Add new record" if you need to add more employees.

You cannot change SOC codes once you file. If you need to change SOC code, make that change in your next quarterly filing.

For a walkthrough of reporting SOC codes, watch our tutorial on YouTube.

How to report job titles

  1. If you rather report job titles for some or all your employees, you can open the drop down titled "How do I report Job Titles?" in EAMS.
  2. Choose "I would like to provide job titles for one or more employee(s)" box to add the job title field to your report.
  3. When you enter in wages, you can select who you want to enter job titles for. Input the SOC code for all other employees.
  4. After you select "Next," you will be taken to a screen where you can manually type in the job titles for selected employees.
  5. When you are finished, job titles will not be shown on the confirmation page or printing copy of your report.

Tips for reporting SOC codes

You can save time by enrolling in locked services in EAMS. This will let you copy a prior quarter's filing, so you do not need to re-enter SOC codes every quarter. Then, you can:

  • Add codes for new employees.
  • Update codes for any employees who changed occupations from the previous quarter.

If an employee performs multiple job functions or has multiple duties, report the code for the occupation that requires the highest level of skill or education. If the skill levels are the same, report the occupation in which the employee spends the most time.

If employees change jobs during the quarter because of transfers, promotions, demotions or reclassifications, report the code for their last occupation.

If you need more help, read guidelines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (PDF, 550 KB).

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