1990 Occupation Codes

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This page presents the 1990 census occupational classification system recorded in the IPUMS variable OCC. The occupations are organized into several large groupings of roughly descending socioeconomic status (e.g. professionals and managers listed first). In addition to this contemporary system, the IPUMS codes all census years into the 1950 occupation classification scheme, recording them in the variable OCC1950. The census occupation classification system changed markedly in 1980, so the correspondence of 1990 occupations to the 1950 categories is more problematic than for earlier census years. Researchers interested in the period from 1980 to the present should consider using OCC1990. OCC1990 codes occupations into a simplified version of the 1990 occupational coding scheme. The OCC1950 and OCC1990 classifications have corresponding occupational standing measures recorded in the variables SEI, HWSEI, NPBOSS50, NPBOSS90, PRESGL, PRENT, EDSCOR50, EDSCOR90, ERSCOR50, ERSCOR90, and OCCSCORE. Our essay on "Integrated Occupation and Industry codes and Occupational Standing Variables in the IPUMS" describes how we construct harmonized occupational variables as well as occupational standing variables.

Occupation Category
MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY OCCUPATIONS FARMING, FORESTRY, AND FISHING OCCUPATIONS MILITARY OCCUPATIONS
TECHNICAL, SALES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OCCUPATIONS PRECISION PRODUCTION, CRAFT, AND REPAIR OCCUPATIONS EXPERIENCED UNEMPLOYED NOT CLASSIFIED BY OCCUPATION
SERVICE OCCUPATIONS OPERATORS, FABRICATORS, AND LABORERS

NOT APPLICABLE

000
N/A (not applicable)

MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY OCCUPATIONS

Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations
003
Legislators
004
Chief executives and general administrators, public administration
005
Administrators and officials, public administration
006
Administrators, protective services
007
Financial managers
008
Personnel and labor relations managers
009
Purchasing managers
013
Managers, marketing, advertising, and public relations
014
Administrators, education and related fields
015
Managers, medicine and health
016
Postmasters and mail superintendents
017
Managers, food serving and lodging establishments
018
Managers, properties and real estate
019
Funeral directors
021
Managers, service organizations, n.e.c.
022
Managers and administrators, n.e.c.


Management Related Occupations:
023
Accountants and auditors
024
Underwriters
025
Other financial officers
026
Management analysts
027
Personnel, training, and labor relations specialists
028
Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products
029
Buyers, wholesale and retail trade, except farm products
033
Purchasing agents and buyers, n.e.c.
034
Business and promotion agents
035
Construction inspectors
036
Inspectors and compliance officers, except construction
037
Management related occupations, n.e.c.


Professional Specialty Occupations

Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors:
043
Architects

Engineers:
044
Aerospace
045
Metallurgical and materials
046
Mining
047
Petroleum
048
Chemical
049
Nuclear
053
Civil
054
Agricultural
055
Electrical and electronic
056
Industrial
057
Mechanical
058
Marine and naval architects
059
Engineers, n.e.c.
063
Surveyors and mapping scientists


Mathematical and Computer Scientists:
064
Computer systems analysts and scientists
065
Operations and systems researchers and analysts
066
Actuaries
067
Statisticians
068
Mathematical scientists, n.e.c.


Natural Scientists:
069
Physicists and astronomers
073
Chemists, except biochemists
074
Atmospheric and space scientists
075
Geologists and geodesists
076
Physical scientists, n.e.c.
077
Agricultural and food scientists
078
Biological and life scientists
079
Forestry and conservation scientists
083
Medical scientists


Health Diagnosing Occupations:
084
Physicians
085
Dentists
086
Veterinarians
087
Optometrists
088
Podiatrists
089
Health diagnosing practitioners, n.e.c.


Health Assessment and Treating Occupations:
095
Registered nurses
096
Pharmacists
097
Dietitians


Therapists:
098
Respiratory therapists
099
Occupational therapists
103
Physical therapists
104
Speech therapists
105
Therapists, n.e.c.
106
Physicians' assistants


Teachers, Postsecondary:
113
Earth, environmental, and marine science teachers
114
Biological science teachers
115
Chemistry teachers
116
Physics teachers
117
Natural science teachers, n.e.c.
118
Psychology teachers
119
Economics teachers
123
History teachers
124
Political science teachers
125
Sociology teachers
126
Social science teachers, n.e.c.
127
Engineering teachers
128
Mathematical science teachers
129
Computer science teachers
133
Medical science teachers
134
Health specialties teachers
135
Business, commerce, and marketing teachers
136
Agriculture and forestry teachers
137
Art, drama, and music teachers
138
Physical education teachers
139
Education teachers
143
English teachers
144
Foreign language teachers
145
Law teachers
146
Social work teachers
147
Theology teachers
148
Trade and industrial teachers
149
Home economics teachers
153
Teachers, postsecondary, n.e.c.
154
Postsecondary teachers, subject n.s.


Teachers, Except Postsecondary:
155
Teachers, prekindergarten and kindergarten
156
Teachers, elementary school
157
Teachers, secondary school
158
Teachers, special education
159
Teachers, n.e.c.
163
Counselors, educational and vocational


Librarians, Archivists, and Curators:
164
Librarians
165
Archivists and curators


Social Scientists and Urban Planners:
166
Economists
167
Psychologists
168
Sociologists
169
Social scientists, n.e.c.
173
Urban planners


Social, Recreation, and Religious Workers
174
Social workers
175
Recreation workers
176
Clergy
177
Religious workers, n.e.c.


Lawyers and Judges:
178
Lawyers
179
Judges


Writers, Artists, Entertainers, and Athletes:
183
Authors
184
Technical writers
185
Designers
186
Musicians and composers
187
Actors and directors
188
Painters, sculptors, craft-artists, and artist printmakers
189
Photographers
193
Dancers
194
Artists, performers, and related workers, n.e.c.
195
Editors and reporters
197
Public relations specialists
198
Announcers
199
Athletes

TECHNICAL, SALES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OCCUPATIONS

Technicians and Related Support Occupations

Health Technologists and Technicians:
203
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
204
Dental hygienists
205
Health record technologists and technicians
206
Radiologic technicians
207
Licensed practical nurses
208
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c.


Technologists and Technicians, Except Health:

Engineering and Related Technologists and Technicians:
213
Electrical and electronic technicians
214
Industrial engineering technicians
215
Mechanical engineering technicians
216
Engineering technicians, n.e.c.
217
Drafting occupations
218
Surveying and mapping technicians


Science Technicians:
223
Biological technicians
224
Chemical technicians
225
Science technicians n.e.c.


Technicians, Except Health, Engineering, and Science:
226
Airplane pilots and navigators
227
Air traffic controllers
228
Broadcast equipment operators
229
Computer programmers
233
Tool programmers, numerical control
234
Legal assistants
235
Technician, n.e.c.


Sales Occupations

243
Supervisors and proprietors, sales occupations


Sales Representatives, Finance and Business Services:
253
Insurance sales occupations
254
Real estate sales occupations
255
Securities and financial services sales occupations
256
Advertising and related sales occupations
257
Sales occupations, other business services


Sales Representatives, Commodities Except Retail:
258
Sales engineers
259
Sales representatives, mining, manufacturing, and wholesale


Sales Workers, Retail and Personal Services:
263
Sales workers, motor vehicles and boats
264
Sales workers, apparel
265
Sales workers, shoes
266
Sales workers, furniture and home furnishings
267
Sales workers, radio, TV, hi-fi, and appliances
268
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies
269
Sales workers, parts
274
Sales workers, other commodities
275
Sales counter clerks
276
Cashiers
277
Street and door-to-door sales workers
278
News vendors


Sales Related Occupations:
283
Demonstrators, promoters and models, sales
284
Auctioneers
285
Sales support occupations, n.e.c.
290
Sales workers--allocated


Administrative Support Occupations, Including Clerical

Supervisors, Administrative Support Occupations:
303
Supervisors, general office
304
Supervisors, computer equipment operators
305
Supervisors, financial records processing
306
Chief communications operators
307
Supervisors; distribution, scheduling, and adjusting clerks


Computer Equipment Operators:
308
Computer operators
309
Peripheral equipment operators


Secretaries, Stenographers, and Typists:
313
Secretaries
314
Stenographers
315
Typists


Information Clerks:
316
Interviewers
317
Hotel clerks
318
Transportation ticket and reservation agents
319
Receptionists
323
Information clerks, n.e.c.


Records Processing Occupations, Except Financial:
325
Classified-ad clerks
326
Correspondence clerks
327
Order clerks
328
Personnel clerks, except payroll and timekeeping
329
Library clerks
335
File clerks
336
Records clerks


Financial Records Processing Occupations:
337
Bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks
338
Payroll and timekeeping clerks
339
Billing clerks
343
Cost and rate clerks
344
Billing, posting, and calculating machine operators


Duplicating, Mail, and Other Office Machine Operators:
345
Duplicating machine operators
346
Mail preparing and paper handling machine operators
347
Office machine operators, n.e.c.


Communications Equipment Operators:
348
Telephone operators
353
Communications equipment operators, n.e.c.


Mail and Message Distributing Occupations:
354
Postal clerks except mail carriers
355
Mail carriers, postal service
356
Mail clerks, except postal service
357
Messengers


Material Recording, Scheduling, and Distributing Clerks:
359
Dispatchers
363
Production coordinators
364
Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks
365
Stock and inventory clerks
366
Meter readers
368
Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers
373
Expediters
374
Material recording, scheduling, and distributing clerks, n.e.c.


Adjusters and Investigators:
375
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and investigators
376
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance
377
Eligibility clerks, social welfare
378
Bill and account collectors


Miscellaneous Administrative Support Occupations:
379
General office clerks
383
Bank tellers
384
Proofreaders
385
Data-entry keyers
386
Statistical clerks
387
Teachers' aides
389
Administrative support occupations, n.e.c.
390
Professional, technical, and kindred workers--allocated
391
Clerical and kindred workers--allocated

SERVICE OCCUPATIONS

Private Household Occupations
403
Launderers and ironers
404
Cooks, private household
405
Housekeepers and butlers
406
Child care workers, private household
407
Private household cleaners and servants
408
Private household workers--allocated


Protective Service Occupations

Supervisors, Protective Service Occupations:
413
Supervisors, firefighting and fire prevention occupations
414
Supervisors, police and detectives
415
Supervisors, guards


Firefighting and Fire Prevention Occupations:
416
Fire inspection and fire prevention occupations
417
Firefighting occupations


Police and Detectives:
418
Police and detectives, public service
423
Sheriffs, bailiffs, and other law enforcement officers
424
Correctional institution officers


Guards:
425
Crossing guards
426
Guards and police, except public service
427
Protective service occupations, n.e.c.


Service Occupations, Except Protective and Household

Food Preparation and Service Occupations:
433
Supervisors, food preparation and service occupations
434
Bartenders
435
Waiters and waitresses
436
Cooks
438
Food counter, fountain and related occupations
439
Kitchen workers, food preparation
443
Waiters'/waitresses' assistants
444
Miscellaneous food preparation occupations


Health Service Occupations:
445
Dental assistants
446
Health aides, except nursing
447
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants


Cleaning and Building Service Occupations, Except Household:
448
Supervisors, cleaning and building service workers
449
Maids and housemen
453
Janitors and cleaners
454
Elevator operators
455
Pest control occupations


Personal Service Occupations:
456
Supervisors, personal service occupations
457
Barbers
458
Hairdressers and cosmetologists
459
Attendants, amusement and recreation facilities
461
Guides
462
Ushers
463
Public transportation attendants
464
Baggage porters and bellhops
465
Welfare service aides
466
Family child care providers
467
Early childhood teachers' assistants
468
Child care workers, n.e.c.
469
Personal service occupations, n.e.c.

FARMING, FORESTRY, AND FISHING OCCUPATIONS

Farm Operators and Managers:
473
Farmers, except horticultural
474
Horticultural specialty farmers
475
Managers, farms, except horticultural
476
Managers, horticultural specialty farms


Other Agricultural and Related Occupations:

Farm Occupations, Except Managerial:
477
Supervisors, farm workers
479
Farm workers
480
Farm laborers and farm foremen--allocated
483
Marine life cultivation workers
484
Nursery workers


Related Agricultural Occupations:
485
Supervisors, related agricultural occupations
486
Groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm
487
Animal caretakers, except farm
488
Graders and sorters, agricultural products
489
Inspectors, agricultural products


Forestry and Logging Occupations:
494
Supervisors, forestry, and logging workers
495
Forestry workers except logging
496
Timber cutting and logging occupations


Fishers, Hunters, and Trappers:
497
Captains and other officers, fishing vessels
498
Fishers
499
Hunters and trappers

PRECISION PRODUCTION, CRAFT, AND REPAIR OCCUPATIONS

Mechanics and Repairers

503
Supervisors, mechanics and repairers


Mechanics and Repairers, Except Supervisors:

Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Mechanics and Repairers:
505
Automobile mechanics
506
Automobile mechanic apprentices
507
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics
508
Aircraft engine mechanics
509
Small engine repairers
514
Automobile body and related repairers
515
Aircraft mechanics, except engine
516
Heavy equipment mechanics
517
Farm equipment mechanics
518
Industrial machinery repairers
519
Machinery maintenance occupations


Electrical and Electronic Equipment Repairers:
523
Electronic repairers, communications and industrial equipment
525
Data processing equipment repairers
526
Household appliance and power tool repairers
527
Telephone line installers and repairers
529
Telephone installers and repairers
533
Misc. electrical and electronic equipment repairers
534
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics


Miscellaneous Mechanics and Repairers:
535
Camera, watch, and musical instrument repairers
536
Locksmiths and safe repairers
538
Office machine repairers
539
Mechanical controls and valve repairers
543
Elevator installers and repairers
544
Millwrights
547
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c.
549
Mechanics and repairers, n.s.


Construction Trades

Supervisors, Construction Occupations:
553
Supervisors, brickmasons, stonemasons, and tile setters
554
Supervisors, carpenters and related workers
555
Supervisors, electricians and power transmission installers
556
Supervisors, painters, paperhangers, and plasterers
557
Supervisors, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
558
Supervisors, construction, n.e.c.


Construction Trades, Except Supervisors:
563
Brickmasons and stonemasons
564
Brickmason and stonemason apprentices
565
Tile setters, hard and soft
566
Carpet installers
567
Carpenters
569
Carpenter apprentices
573
Drywall installers
575
Electricians
576
Electrician apprentices
577
Electrical power installers and repairers
579
Painters, construction and maintenance
583
Paperhangers
584
Plasterers
585
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
587
Plumber, pipe fitter, and steamfitter apprentices
588
Concrete and terrazzo finishers
589
Glaziers
593
Insulation workers
594
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
595
Roofers
596
Sheetmetal duct installers
597
Structural metal workers
598
Drillers, earth
599
Construction trades, n.e.c.


Extractive Occupations

613
Supervisors, extractive occupations
614
Drillers, oil well
615
Explosives workers
616
Mining machine operators
617
Mining occupations, n.e.c.


Precision Production Occupations

628
Supervisors, production occupations


Precision Metal Working Occupations:
634
Tool and die makers
635
Tool and die maker apprentices
636
Precision assemblers, metal
637
Machinists
639
Machinist apprentices
643
Boilermakers
644
Precision grinders, filers, and tool sharpeners
645
Patternmakers and model makers, metal
646
Lay-out workers
647
Precious stones and metals workers (jewelers)
649
Engravers, metal
653
Sheet metal workers
654
Sheet metal worker apprentices
655
Miscellaneous precision metal workers


Precision Woodworking Occupations:
656
Patternmakers and model makers, wood
657
Cabinet makers and bench carpenters
658
Furniture and wood finishers
659
Miscellaneous precision woodworkers


Precision Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Machine Workers:
666
Dressmakers
667
Tailors
668
Upholsterers
669
Shoe repairers
674
Miscellaneous precision apparel and fabric workers


Precision Workers, Assorted Materials:
675
Hand molders and shapers, except jewelers
676
Patternmakers, lay-out workers, and cutters
677
Optical goods workers
678
Dental laboratory and medical appliance technicians
679
Bookbinders
683
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers
684
Miscellaneous precision workers, n.e.c.


Precision Food Production Occupations:
686
Butchers and meat cutters
687
Bakers
688
Food batchmakers


Precision Inspectors, Testers, and Related Workers:
689
Inspectors, testers, and graders
693
Adjusters and calibrators


Plant and System Operators:
694
Water and sewage treatment plant operators
695
Power plant operators
696
Stationary engineers
699
Miscellaneous plant and system operators

OPERATORS, FABRICATORS, AND LABORERS

Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors Machine Operators and Tenders, Except Precision:

Metalworking and Plastic Working Machine Operators:
703
Lathe and turning machine set-up operators
704
Lathe and turning machine operators
705
Milling and planing machine operators
706
Punching and stamping press machine operators
707
Rolling machine operators
708
Drilling and boring machine operators
709
Grinding, abrading, buffing, and polishing machine operators
713
Forging machine operators
714
Numerical control machine operators
715
Miscellaneous metal, plastic, stone, and glass working machine operators
717
Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.


Metal and Plastic Processing Machine Operators:
719
Molding and casting machine operators
723
Metal plating machine operators
724
Heat treating equipment operators
725
Miscellaneous metal and plastic processing machine operators


Woodworking Machine Operators:
726
Wood lathe, routing, and planing machine operators
727
Sawing machine operators
728
Shaping and joining machine operators
729
Nailing and tacking machine operators
733
Miscellaneous woodworking machine operators


Printing Machine Operators:
734
Printing press operators
735
Photoengravers and lithographers
736
Typesetters and compositors
737
Miscellaneous printing machine operators


Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Machine Operators:
738
Winding and twisting machine operators
739
Knitting, looping, taping, and weaving machine operators
743
Textile cutting machine operators
744
Textile sewing machine operators
745
Shoe machine operators
747
Pressing machine operators
748
Laundering and dry cleaning machine operators
749
Miscellaneous textile machine operators


Machine Operators, Assorted Materials:
753
Cementing and gluing machine operators
754
Packaging and filling machine operators
755
Extruding and forming machine operators
756
Mixing and blending machine operators
757
Separating, filtering, and clarifying machine operators
758
Compressing and compacting machine operators
759
Painting and paint spraying machine operators
763
Roasting and baking machine operators, food
764
Washing, cleaning, and pickling machine operators
765
Folding machine operators
766
Furnace, kiln, and oven operators, except food
768
Crushing and grinding machine operators
769
Slicing and cutting machine operators
773
Motion picture projectionists
774
Photographic process machine operators
777
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c.
779
Machine operators, n.s.


Fabricators, Assemblers, and Hand Working Occupations:

783
Welders and cutters
784
Solderers and brazers
785
Assemblers
786
Hand cutting and trimming occupations
787
Hand molding, casting, and forming occupations
789
Hand painting, coating, and decorating occupations
793
Hand engraving and printing occupations
795
Miscellaneous hand working occupations


Production Inspectors, Testers, Samplers, and Weighers:

796
Production inspectors, checkers, and examiners
797
Production testers
798
Production samplers and weighers
799
Graders and sorters, except agricultural


Transportation and Material Moving Occupations:

Motor Vehicle Operators:
803
Supervisors, motor vehicle operators
804
Truck drivers
806
Driver-sales workers
808
Bus drivers
809
Taxicab drivers and chauffeurs
813
Parking lot attendants
814
Motor transportation occupations, n.e.c.
815
Transport equipment operatives--allocated


Transportation Occupations, Except Motor Vehicles:

Rail Transportation Occupations:
823
Railroad conductors and yardmasters
824
Locomotive operating occupations
825
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators
826
Rail vehicle operators, n.e.c.


Water Transportation Occupations:
828
Ship captains and mates, except fishing boats
829
Sailors and deckhands
833
Marine engineers
834
Bridge, lock, and lighthouse tenders


Material Moving Equipment Operators:
843
Supervisors, material moving equipment operators
844
Operating engineers
845
Longshore equipment operators
848
Hoist and winch operators
849
Crane and tower operators
853
Excavating and loading machine operators
855
Grader, dozer, and scraper operators
856
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators
859
Miscellaneous material moving equipment operators
864
Supervisors, handlers, equipment cleaners, and laborers, n.e.c.
865
Helpers, mechanics and repairers


Helpers, Construction and Extractive Occupations:
866
Helpers, construction trades
867
Helpers, surveyor
868
Helpers, extractive occupations
869
Construction laborers
874
Production helpers


Freight, Stock, and Material Handlers:
875
Garbage collectors
876
Stevedores
877
Stock handlers and baggers
878
Machine feeders and offbearers
883
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c.
885
Garage and service station related occupations
887
Vehicle washers and equipment cleaners
888
Hand packers and packagers
889
Laborers, except construction
890
Laborers, except farm--allocated

MILITARY OCCUPATIONS

903
Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers
904
Non-commissioned Officers and Other Enlisted Personnel
905
Military occupation, rank not specified

EXPERIENCED UNEMPLOYED NOT CLASSIFIED BY OCCUPATION

909
Last worked 1984 or earlier


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