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 Cairns City, accounting for 25% (321 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 315 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Cairns City - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Cairns City in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns City, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
216
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-6.5pp
216
16.8%
-6.5pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
321
% of total
25.0%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
321
25.0%
+5.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
153
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
153
11.9%
-4.8pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
182
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+14.2pp
182
14.2%
+14.2pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
128
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+10.0pp
128
10.0%
+10.0pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
96
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
96
7.5%
+7.5pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
47
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
47
3.7%
+3.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
124
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-20.4pp
124
9.6%
-20.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
19
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
19
1.5%
+1.5pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+209
-6.5pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+315
+5.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+148
-4.8pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+182
+14.2pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+128
+10.0pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+96
+7.5pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+47
+3.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+115
-20.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+19
+1.5pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Cairns City. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 216 | 16.8% | 11.1% | 7 | 23.3% | 10.9% | +209 | -6.5pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 321 | 25.0% | 20.4% | 6 | 20.0% | 19.2% | +315 | +5.0pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 153 | 11.9% | 15.0% | 5 | 16.7% | 15.0% | +148 | -4.8pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 182 | 14.2% | 14.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.7% | +182 | +14.2pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 128 | 10.0% | 12.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.2% | +128 | +10.0pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 96 | 7.5% | 9.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 10.7% | +96 | +7.5pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 47 | 3.7% | 5.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.6% | +47 | +3.7pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 124 | 9.6% | 9.9% | 9 | 30.0% | 9.9% | +115 | -20.4pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 19 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% | +19 | +1.5pp |
| Total | 1,285 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 30 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,255 | 0.0pp |