Occupation

For 1970, there are 12 major occupational groups. The major groups reflected four broad occupational areas. The major groups and the occupational areas to which they relate are as follows:

1970 Major Occupational Groups

Occupational Areas
Professional, technical, and kindred workers                 White collar workers
Managers and administrators, except farm
Sales Workers
Clerical and kindred workers
Craftsmen and kindred workers                                        Blue collar workers
Operatives, except transport
Transport equipment operatives
Laborers, except farm
Farmers and farm managers                                            Farm workers
Farm laborers and farm foremen
Service workers, except private household                      Service workers
Private household workers

In 1980 the occupational coding was changed to conform with the new Standard Occupational Classification system, first issued in 1977. While many of the borad categories observed in the 1980 scheme were designed to offer a general measure of compatibility with many 1970 categories, the detailed characteristics differed substantially.

1980 Major Occupational Groups (6 Summary Groups)

Managerial and Professional Speciality Occupations

Executive, Administrative, and Managerial

Professional Specialty Occupations

Technical, Sales, and Administrative Support Occupations

Technicians and Related Support Occupations

Sales Occupations

Administrative Support Occupations, Including Clerical

Service Occupations

Private Household Occupations

Service Occupations, Except Protective and Household

Farming, Forestry, and Fishing Occupations

Precision Productions, Craft, and Repair Occupations

Mechanics and Repairers

Construction Trades

Extractive Occupations

Precision Production Occupations

Operators, Fabricators, and Laborers

Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, and Laborers

In 1990 the occupational classes were developed to be consistent with the 1980 Standard Occupational Classification system. The 1990 classes are essentially the same as those used in 1980.

All in all, 1980 and 1990 occupation data are fairly comparable. The 1970 data have been made somewhat comparable by re-grouping the 1970 data into the 1980 major groups.

More details about the occupational classifications schemes are found in the documents.

occtc1970 definition and some details.
occupation info1980 groups (detailed).