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 (R), accounting for 20.4% (16,235 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (18%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 2,303 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Cairns (R) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Cairns (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
8,814
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
8,814
11.1%
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
16,235
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
16,235
20.4%
+1.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
11,931
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11,931
15.0%
0.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
11,887
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
11,887
14.9%
+1.2pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
9,531
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
9,531
12.0%
-1.2pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
7,525
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
7,525
9.4%
-1.3pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
4,478
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,478
5.6%
0.0pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
7,874
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
7,874
9.9%
0.0pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
1,366
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,366
1.7%
0.0pp
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+886
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+2,303
+1.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+1,104
0.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+1,935
+1.2pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
-11
-1.2pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
-245
-1.3pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+393
0.0pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+738
0.0pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+134
0.0pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Cairns (R). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 8,814 | 11.1% | 12.4% | 7,928 | 10.9% | 12.4% | +886 | +0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 16,235 | 20.4% | 18.0% | 13,932 | 19.2% | 16.7% | +2,303 | +1.2pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 11,931 | 15.0% | 15.1% | 10,827 | 15.0% | 15.7% | +1,104 | 0.0pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 11,887 | 14.9% | 13.0% | 9,952 | 13.7% | 11.8% | +1,935 | +1.2pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 9,531 | 12.0% | 11.8% | 9,542 | 13.2% | 12.5% | -11 | -1.2pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 7,525 | 9.4% | 9.1% | 7,770 | 10.7% | 10.2% | -245 | -1.3pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 4,478 | 5.6% | 7.3% | 4,085 | 5.6% | 7.6% | +393 | 0.0pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 7,874 | 9.9% | 11.2% | 7,136 | 9.9% | 11.6% | +738 | 0.0pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 1,366 | 1.7% | 2.0% | 1,232 | 1.7% | 1.6% | +134 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 79,649 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 72,405 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,244 | 0.0pp |