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 Brisbane (C), accounting for 32% (212,007 people). This share was higher than Greater Brisbane (24.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 41,599 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Brisbane (C) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Brisbane (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brisbane (C), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
92,784
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
92,784
14.0%
+0.9pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
212,007
% of total
32.0%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
212,007
32.0%
+2.1pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
65,259
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
65,259
9.9%
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
69,720
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
69,720
10.5%
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
87,018
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
87,018
13.1%
-1.5pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
50,848
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
50,848
7.7%
-1.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
28,189
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
28,189
4.3%
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
45,592
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
45,592
6.9%
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
10,897
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10,897
1.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+18,285
+0.9pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+41,599
+2.1pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+5,165
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+11,934
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+3,800
-1.5pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+539
-1.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+4,766
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+3,751
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+2,017
0.0pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Brisbane (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 92,784 | 14.0% | 12.6% | 74,499 | 13.1% | 11.8% | +18,285 | +0.9pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 212,007 | 32.0% | 24.7% | 170,408 | 29.9% | 22.9% | +41,599 | +2.1pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 65,259 | 9.9% | 12.3% | 60,094 | 10.5% | 12.9% | +5,165 | -0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 69,720 | 10.5% | 11.6% | 57,786 | 10.1% | 10.9% | +11,934 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 87,018 | 13.1% | 13.5% | 83,218 | 14.6% | 14.8% | +3,800 | -1.5pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 50,848 | 7.7% | 8.2% | 50,309 | 8.8% | 9.3% | +539 | -1.1pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 28,189 | 4.3% | 6.3% | 23,423 | 4.1% | 6.3% | +4,766 | +0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 45,592 | 6.9% | 8.9% | 41,841 | 7.3% | 9.4% | +3,751 | -0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 10,897 | 1.6% | 1.8% | 8,880 | 1.6% | 1.6% | +2,017 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 662,318 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 570,455 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +91,863 | 0.0pp |