Collecting and Using Industry and Occupation Data
More about Classification Systems
Census Industry and Occupational Classification System
Census industry and occupation codes were developed to code written responses to the surveys sponsored by the Census Bureau, such as the American Community Survey and the Current Population Census industry and occupation codes are derived from NAICS and SOC. Census codes are revised after the NAICS and SOC codes are updated.
Within the Census coding scheme, industry is coded first, then occupation. This is because sometimes the Census industry code limits which occupation codes are valid. 
For example, the Census occupation code for a laborer within the agriculture industry is different than the Census occupation code for a laborer within the construction industry.
- Census industry codes are based on NAICS and generally correspond to NAICS 3- or 4-digit codes.
- Census occupation codes are based on SOC and generally correspond to SOC broad or detailed occupation codes.
- For both industry and occupation, the Census codes are less detailed than the NAICS or SOC codes to protect individual respondents of Census surveys or health surveys.
Here is an example of how NAICS codes are related to Census industry codes:
The Census industry code 0770 for CONSTRUCTION includes the following NAICS codes (as well as others):
- Roof Contracting (NAICS 238160)
- House Painting Contracting (NAICS 238320)
- Building Contractor (NAICS 238120)
Here is an example of how SOC codes are related to Census occupation codes:
The Census occupation code 9120 for BUS DRIVER includes the following SOC codes (as well as others):
- School bus drivers (SOC 53-3022)
- Transit and intercity bus drivers (SOC 53-3021)
More detailed information about Census codes can be found on the Census Bureauexternal icon
Alphabetical Indexes of Industries and Occupationsexternal icon is a comprehensive lists of specific industry and occupation titles for Census. Because multiple industry and occupation titles map to a single Census industry and occupation code, these indexes contain over 21,000 industry and 31,000 occupation titles in alphabetical order with corresponding numeric codes. The indexes can help you understand what types of specific industries and occupations fall within each code. The indexes are continuously updated through review of Census and survey responses.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
NAICS codes are updated every 5 years as the industries change and may be up to 6-digits. Each digit in the code is part of a series of progressively narrower industry categories, and more digits in the code signifies greater classification detail.
In a NAICS code, the first two digits define the 20 broad sector groupings:
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting |
| 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction |
| 22 | Utilities |
| 23 | Construction |
| 31-33 | Manufacturing |
| 42 | Wholesale Trade |
| 44-45 | Retail Trade |
| 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing |
| 51 | Information |
| 52 | Finance and Insurance |
| 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing |
| 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services |
| 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises |
| 56 | Administrative Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services |
| 61 | Educational Services |
| 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation |
| 72 | Accommodation and Food Services |
| 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) |
| 92 | Public Administration |
Within each of the sectors, the groupings are broken down farther.
- The first 2-digits represent the sector.
- The first 3-digits represent the sub sectors within a sector.
- The first 4-digits represent the industry groupings with a subsector.
- The 5-digit code is the NAICS code for each industry grouping.
- The 6-digit code is the national industry.
For example, 331221 is the 6-digit NAICS code for the industry: Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing
33 Sector code for Manufacturing
331 Subsector code for Primary Metal Manufacturing
3312 Industry grouping code for Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel
33121 National industry code for Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing from Purchased Steel
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)
An SOC code may be up to 6-digits. The occupations in SOC do not relate to any industry code. SOC codes are updated every 5 years.
The first two digits define the 23 major groupings.
| Major Group | Description |
|---|---|
| 00-0000 | All Occupations |
| 11-0000 | Management |
| 13-0000 | Business and Financial Operations |
| 15-0000 | Computer and Mathematical |
| 17-0000 | Architecture and Engineering |
| 19-0000 | Life, Physical, and Social Science |
| 21-0000 | Community and Social Service |
| 23-0000 | Legal |
| 25-0000 | Education, Training, and Library |
| 27-0000 | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media |
| 29-0000 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical |
| 31-0000 | Healthcare Support |
| 33-0000 | Protective Services |
| 35-0000 | Food Preparation and Serving Related |
| 37-0000 | Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance |
| 39-0000 | Personal Care and Service |
| 41-0000 | Sales and Related |
| 43-0000 | Office and Administrative Support |
| 45-0000 | Farming, Fishing, and Forestry |
| 47-0000 | Construction and Extraction |
| 49-0000 | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair |
| 51-0000 | Production |
| 53-0000 | Transportation and Material Moving |
Each of the major groups are broken down further:
- Major group: first 2-digits
- Minor group: 3rd digit
- Broad occupations: 4th and 5th digits
- Detailed occupations: 6th digit
For example, 47-2131 is the SOC code for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
- 47-2131 47 is the major group code for Construction and Extraction
- 47-2131 47-2 is the minor group code for Construction Trade Workers
- 47-2131 47-213 is the broad category code for Insulation Workers
- 47-2131 47-2131 is the detailed occupation code for Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall