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 Smithfield (Qld), accounting for 20.9% (714 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Technicians And Trades Workers, which increased by 308 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Smithfield (Qld) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Smithfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
401
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
401
11.7%
-2.8pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
714
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-15.2pp
714
20.9%
-15.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
523
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
523
15.3%
+7.6pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
572
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
+6.3pp
572
16.7%
+6.3pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
398
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
398
11.6%
-2.7pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
296
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
296
8.7%
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
178
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
178
5.2%
+2.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
296
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
296
8.7%
+3.8pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
44
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
44
1.3%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
-3
-2.8pp
Total Occupation Professionals
-294
-15.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+308
+7.6pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+281
+6.3pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
0
-2.7pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+64
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+107
+2.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+159
+3.8pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+2
-0.2pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Smithfield (Qld). 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 | 401 | 11.7% | 11.1% | 404 | 14.5% | 10.9% | -3 | -2.8pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 714 | 20.9% | 20.4% | 1,008 | 36.1% | 19.2% | -294 | -15.2pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 523 | 15.3% | 15.0% | 215 | 7.7% | 15.0% | +308 | +7.6pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 572 | 16.7% | 14.9% | 291 | 10.4% | 13.7% | +281 | +6.3pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 398 | 11.6% | 12.0% | 398 | 14.3% | 13.2% | 0 | -2.7pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 296 | 8.7% | 9.4% | 232 | 8.3% | 10.7% | +64 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 178 | 5.2% | 5.6% | 71 | 2.5% | 5.6% | +107 | +2.7pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 296 | 8.7% | 9.9% | 137 | 4.9% | 9.9% | +159 | +3.8pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 44 | 1.3% | 1.7% | 42 | 1.5% | 1.7% | +2 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 3,420 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,792 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +628 | 0.0pp |