Employment
Occupation of employment
About this topic
Occupation of employment classifies employed residents by the kind of work they do in their main job. It describes the roles, skills, and tasks people perform rather than the industry they work in.
This topic is useful for understanding the skill profile and socio-economic characteristics of the resident workforce. It is best interpreted with qualifications, individual income, and industry sector of employment.
Interpretation notes
- Occupation classifies the kind of work done in a person's main job, not the employer's industry.
- It applies to employed people aged 15 years and over, so it should be read with employment status when assessing labour market conditions.
Key insight
In 2021, Professionals was the most common occupation group among employed residents in Adelaide, accounting for 36.6% (3,338 people). This share was lower than Adelaide (C) (37.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 1,123 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Adelaide - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Adelaide in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Adelaide (C) and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide, with comparison markers for Adelaide (C).
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
1,183
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,183
13.0%
-1.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
3,338
% of total
36.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,338
36.6%
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
788
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
788
8.6%
+0.6pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
1,240
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,240
13.6%
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
1,068
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,068
11.7%
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
624
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
624
6.8%
-0.7pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
174
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
174
1.9%
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
567
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
567
6.2%
+0.5pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
148
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
148
1.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+327
-1.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+1,123
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+308
+0.6pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+487
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+366
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+175
-0.7pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+82
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+228
+0.5pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+52
0.0pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Adelaide. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 1,183 | 13.0% | 13.7% | 856 | 14.3% | 14.9% | +327 | -1.3pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 3,338 | 36.6% | 37.5% | 2,215 | 37.1% | 37.9% | +1,123 | -0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 788 | 8.6% | 7.9% | 480 | 8.0% | 7.3% | +308 | +0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 1,240 | 13.6% | 13.3% | 753 | 12.6% | 12.3% | +487 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 1,068 | 11.7% | 11.7% | 702 | 11.8% | 11.8% | +366 | -0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 624 | 6.8% | 6.9% | 449 | 7.5% | 7.7% | +175 | -0.7pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 174 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 92 | 1.5% | 1.6% | +82 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 567 | 6.2% | 5.7% | 339 | 5.7% | 5.1% | +228 | +0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 148 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 96 | 1.6% | 1.4% | +52 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 9,124 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,972 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,152 | 0.0pp |