Admins can learn about SOC codes and how to enter them in Gusto.
Solution
⚠️ SOC codes are not the same as Risk Class Codes (RCC) used for Workers’ Compensation.
What are SOC codes?
SOC stands for Standard Occupational Classification. It’s a system used by the government and businesses to describe what kind of work a person does (while capturing occupational data).
SOC codes also differ from NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes:
- NAICS codes describe your business's primary activity
- SOC codes describe your employees’ main job duties
Do I need to enter SOC codes?
Some states require SOC codes on quarterly tax forms. If your state requires them, Gusto will:
- Prompt you to add SOC codes, and;
- Automatically include them on tax forms if you’ve added them to the employee’s profile.
If your state does not use SOC codes, you won’t see an option to add them in Gusto.
States that require SOC codes (and where to find them) If your state does not use SOC codes, you won’t see an option to add them in Gusto. Use the table below for more details and code lookup tools:
| State | Requirement | Example | Where to find codes |
| Alaska | Employers should report both: - Geographic codes (where the employee works—the primary location)
- SOC codes (employee’s main job duties)
| - Geographic code example
- If your business location is in Anchorage, but an employee primarily works in Fairbanks, use the code for Fairbanks. If an employee works in more than one place, use the code for the place where they spend the most time.
- SOC code example
- A 6-digit code that best describes the activities of the employee.
- In some cases, the six-digit code has been expanded to identify occupations important to the state.
| Alaska's occupational code lookup tool |
| Indiana | SOC codes are optional for employers and follow federal SOC standards. | — | Indiana's SOC code lookup tool |
| Louisiana | SOC codes required. | — | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lookup or contact your local agency. |
| South Carolina | SOC codes required | — | South Carolina's SOC code lookup tool and resources. |
| Washington | SOC codes required Exception: No code needed if the employee is exempt from WA State Unemployment Insurance. We won't ask for a code if an exemption is set up. | — | Washington's SOC code lookup tool |
| West Virginia | SOC codes required | — | |
How to pick the right SOC code - If the employee does more than one job, choose the one that needs the most skill or education
- If both jobs need the same skill, choose the one they do most often
- If the employee switched jobs this quarter, enter their most recent role.
How to add SOC codes in Gusto Some states require SOC codes on quarterly tax forms. If your state requires them, Gusto will prompt you to add SOC codes, and automatically include them on tax forms. If your state does not use SOC codes, you won’t see an option to add them in Gusto.
Option 1: From your Home page notification
- Sign in to Gusto.
- Click the Add your employees’ occupational codes to-do
- Click Let’s do it under the employee's name.
- In their Taxes section, scroll to the state tax section.
- Click Edit.
- Use the SOC lookup tool to search for and find the right code.
- Enter the code, including the dash (use the first 6 digits only, like XX-XXXX).
- Click Save.
Option 2: From the employee’s profile
- Sign in to Gusto.
- Go to the People section.
- Select the employee.
- In their Taxes section, scroll to the state tax section.
- Click Edit.
- Use the SOC lookup tool to search for and find the right code.
- Enter the code, including the dash (use the first 6 digits only, like XX-XXXX).
- Click Save.
FAQ Q: My employee no longer works in WA, but Gusto still asks for an SOC code. What should I do?
A: Just enter any code. Since they no longer work in Washington, Gusto won’t report the code to the state.
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