A system used to categorize workers and jobs into occupational classifications, developed by the Department of Labor (DOL). The SOC system is used by the federal government to report on wage and employment data. It is designed to be a comprehensive source of information on all occupations performed by any workers in the US.

All federal agencies must use SOC codes when collecting or reporting on occupational data.

Employers sponsoring workers for temporary or permanent immigration classification must specify the particular job that the worker will fill when granted the status (for examples of available visa classifications, see Key Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications Chart and Key Immigrant Visa Classifications Chart). Several temporary visa classifications (including the H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3) and the PERM-based green card sponsorship require DOL certification of certain characteristics about the job before employers may sponsor a foreign worker.

It is best practice for employers to use SOC codes when describing jobs because the DOL assigns jobs SOC codes when employers apply for labor certification before sponsoring foreign workers for a visa status. The codes determine the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the job, important factors in immigration sponsorship.

For additional information, see Practice Notes, The H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification: Labor Condition Application and The PERM Labor Certification Process.