Important: SOC codes are different than Risk Class Codes (RCC) for Workers' Compensation. Head to this article for more information on RCC's.
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) is a federal coding system that helps government agencies and private businesses compare occupational data.
SOC codes differ from North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, as NAICS codes identify the primary activity of your business, whereas SOC codes identify the primary duties of the workers employed in your business.
Some states require employers to report SOC codes on quarterly forms. Gusto will automatically include these codes on quarterly forms, so long as they’re entered in Gusto.
Use the drop-downs below to view more information on states that require these codes and how to enter them in Gusto.
If you're in a state that doesn't use SOC codes, you won't have the option to add them to your employee's profile.
If an SOC code was missed when the employee was added to Gusto, it can be added at any time.
Which SOC code to choose
If an employee performs multiple job functions or duties, choose the code for the job function 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.
For employees who change jobs during the quarter because of transfers, promotions, demotions, or reclassification, report only their last occupation. More information can be found here.
If you're in a state that doesn't use SOC codes, you won't have the option to add them to your employee's profile.
Add a SOC code for an employee
If you don’t see a to-do notification on your dashboard, you can follow the steps below to add a SOC code for an employee.
If you're experiencing any issues when entering your SOC code, please contact us from the Help or Priority Support section of your account.