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 Palm Cove, accounting for 20.8% (242 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 233 people and 9.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Palm Cove - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Palm Cove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Cove, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
217
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
217
18.7%
-0.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
242
% of total
20.8%
Change from 2016
+9.4pp
242
20.8%
+9.4pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
151
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
151
13.0%
+0.3pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
162
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
162
13.9%
-3.8pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
121
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
121
10.4%
+0.3pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
107
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
107
9.2%
+5.4pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
46
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-12.5pp
46
4.0%
-12.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
108
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
108
9.3%
-3.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
13
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
13
1.1%
-2.7pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+202
-0.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+233
+9.4pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+141
+0.3pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+148
-3.8pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+113
+0.3pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+104
+5.4pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+33
-12.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+98
-3.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+10
-2.7pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Palm Cove. 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 | 217 | 18.7% | 11.1% | 15 | 19.0% | 10.9% | +202 | -0.3pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 242 | 20.8% | 20.4% | 9 | 11.4% | 19.2% | +233 | +9.4pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 151 | 13.0% | 15.0% | 10 | 12.7% | 15.0% | +141 | +0.3pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 162 | 13.9% | 14.9% | 14 | 17.7% | 13.7% | +148 | -3.8pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 121 | 10.4% | 12.0% | 8 | 10.1% | 13.2% | +113 | +0.3pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 107 | 9.2% | 9.4% | 3 | 3.8% | 10.7% | +104 | +5.4pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 46 | 4.0% | 5.6% | 13 | 16.5% | 5.6% | +33 | -12.5pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 108 | 9.3% | 9.9% | 10 | 12.7% | 9.9% | +98 | -3.4pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 13 | 1.1% | 1.7% | 3 | 3.8% | 1.7% | +10 | -2.7pp |
| Total | 1,163 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 79 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,084 | 0.0pp |