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 Whitfield (Qld), accounting for 31.8% (697 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 134 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Whitfield (Qld) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Whitfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whitfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
267
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
267
12.2%
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
697
% of total
31.8%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
697
31.8%
+4.1pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
250
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
250
11.4%
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
262
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
262
11.9%
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
254
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
254
11.6%
-1.7pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
170
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
170
7.7%
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
82
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
82
3.7%
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
177
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
177
8.1%
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
33
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
33
1.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+27
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+134
+4.1pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+2
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+21
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
-16
-1.7pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
-26
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
-4
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+15
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Whitfield (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 | 267 | 12.2% | 11.1% | 240 | 11.8% | 10.9% | +27 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 697 | 31.8% | 20.4% | 563 | 27.7% | 19.2% | +134 | +4.1pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 250 | 11.4% | 15.0% | 248 | 12.2% | 15.0% | +2 | -0.8pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 262 | 11.9% | 14.9% | 241 | 11.8% | 13.7% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 254 | 11.6% | 12.0% | 270 | 13.3% | 13.2% | -16 | -1.7pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 170 | 7.7% | 9.4% | 196 | 9.6% | 10.7% | -26 | -1.9pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 82 | 3.7% | 5.6% | 86 | 4.2% | 5.6% | -4 | -0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 177 | 8.1% | 9.9% | 162 | 8.0% | 9.9% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 33 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 26 | 1.3% | 1.7% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,034 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +160 | 0.0pp |