U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

National Compensation Survey - Wages

Occupational Classification System Manual

Major Occupational Groups: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | K
About the Occupational Classification System Manual

MOG-Level Definitions

MOG A—Professional And Technical Occupations

Professional

This MOG includes occupations concerned with the study, application, and/or administration of physical, mathematical, scientific, engineering, architectural, social, medical, legal statute, biological, behavioral, library, and/or religious laws, principles, practices or theories. Some occupations are concerned with interpreting, informing, expressing, or promoting ideas, products, etc. by written, artistic, sound or physical mediums. Certain occupations that provide support in all of the above fields are included in MOG A. Most MOG A occupations require educational preparation.

Technical

MOG A also includes technical occupations. These occupations are involved in carrying out technical and technological functions in health, engineering, science, and other disciplines. May perform research, development, testing and related activities. May operate technical equipment and systems. Such occupations as Laboratory Technicians, Pilots, Hydrographers, and Radar Operators are included.

MOG B—Executive, Administrative, And Managerial Occupations

Managers plan, organize, direct, and control the major functions of an industrial, commercial or governmental establishment or department through subordinates who are at the managerial or supervisory level. Managers make decisions and establish objectives for the department or establishment; they are generally not directly concerned with the fabrication of products or with the provision of services. They possess a knowledge of the day-to-day operation of the organization, but do not necessarily have the detailed knowledge required of a first line supervisor. Most Managers are classified in MOG B. Please see Section A of the OCSM for more information on Managers and Supervisors.

In the case of small establishments or departments, employees who plan, organize, direct, or control major functions, may also perform functions normally assigned to supervisors, such as supervising lower level employees. Consider such employees as managers.

There are also management related occupations in this MOG who implement the establishment functions in support of management at the operational level. Examples of these specialized functions are analyzing financial records and policies, reviewing organizational structures and methods, purchasing goods for internal organizational use, enforcing standards and regulations, etc.

MOG C—Sales Occupations

Occupations concerned with the selling of goods and services or property, purchasing goods and services for resale, or conducting wholesale and retail business. Sales representatives or agents and sales workers require knowledge of the goods or services sold, along with the ability to demonstrate product(s), receive payments, and perform other sales related activities. Supervisors who coordinate the activities of workers who buy and sell goods and services are included. Sales clerks and cashiers who are primarily concerned with receiving and disbursing funds, and require no special product knowledge, are included in MOG C.

MOG D—Administrative Support Occupations, Including Clerical

Include all of the broad groups of occupations performing activities relating to preparing, transcribing, systematizing, and preserving written communications and records; collecting accounts; gathering and distributing information; operating office machines and electronic data processing equipment; storing, distributing and accounting for stores of materials; operating telephone switchboards, distributing mail and delivering messages; and performing other administrative and clerical support.

MOG E—Precision Production, Craft, And Repair Occupations

This group includes occupations involved in the fabricating, processing, inspecting or repairing of material, products or structural units. Incumbents must have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of processes involved in their work, usually acquired through apprenticeship or intensive training. Workers must exercise considerable independent judgment and must usually display a high degree of manual dexterity.

Exclude Helpers from MOG E and include them in the indicated occupation in MOG H unless specifically included in the definition.

Apprentices: Include workers who are learning the craft or trade through on-the-job training and a formal apprenticeship training program. The terms "apprentice," "laborer," "helper," and "trainee" are further explained in Section A of the OCSM. Include apprentices in the corresponding MOG E census occupation unless specifically excluded. The following apprentice occupations are classified separately in MOG E.


E506     Automobile Mechanic Apprentices
E564     Brickmason and Stonemason Apprentices
E569     Carpenter Apprentices
E576     Electrician Apprentices
E587     Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter Apprentices
E635     Tool and Die Maker Apprentices
E639     Machinist Apprentices
E654     Sheet Metal Worker Apprentices

MOG F—Machine Operators, Assemblers, And Inspectors

Set up and operate machinery, perform repetitive manual or machine operations, or tend and control machines, as part of a fairly well-defined work routine where some independent judgment or skill may be required.

Include apprentices in MOG F census occupations unless specifically excluded.

Exclude Helpers in MOG F census occupations unless the job description specifically includes them.

MOG G—Transportation And Material Moving Occupations

Workers concerned with the activities that are in immediate support of the operation and performance of transportation vehicles used to transport people or material. Includes operation of material moving equipment which is stationary or has limited range. Also includes the supervision of these workers.

MOG H—Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, And Laborers

Peform unskilled, simple duties, primarily manual, that may be learned within a short period of time and that require little or no independent judgment. These occupations ordinarily require little or no previous experience. Duties may require moderate to strenuous physical exertion.

This MOG includes 11 occupations (H483-H498) from the Farm, Fishing, and Forestry MOG. These occupations are similar in nature to the occupations in MOG H. They are included because they occur in the private nonfarm sector.

MOG K—Service Occupations, Except Private HouseholdS

Occupations concerned with preparing and serving food and drinks in commercial, institutional, or other establishments, providing lodging and related services, providing grooming, cosmetic and other personal and health care services for children and adults, providing protection for people and property, attending to the comfort or requests of patrons of amusement and recreation facilities, and performing cleaning and maintenance services to interiors of buildings. These occupations cater to providing personal and protective services to individuals and commercial entities.

Last modified: October 16, 2001