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 Ferndale (WA), accounting for 23.7% (497 people). This share was lower than Canning (C) (25.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 62 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Ferndale (WA) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Ferndale (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Canning (C) and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ferndale (WA), with comparison markers for Canning (C).
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
197
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
197
9.4%
+1.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
497
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
497
23.7%
+1.8pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
315
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
315
15.0%
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
285
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
285
13.6%
+1.9pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
254
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
254
12.1%
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
163
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
163
7.8%
-2.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
157
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
157
7.5%
+0.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
210
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
210
10.0%
+0.7pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
24
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
24
1.1%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+37
+1.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+62
+1.8pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
-21
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+52
+1.9pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
-23
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
-31
-2.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+23
+0.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+26
+0.7pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
-14
-0.8pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Ferndale (WA). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Canning (C)% | Count | % | Canning (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 197 | 9.4% | 9.6% | 160 | 8.1% | 9.9% | +37 | +1.3pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 497 | 23.7% | 25.9% | 435 | 21.9% | 24.1% | +62 | +1.8pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 315 | 15.0% | 13.3% | 336 | 16.9% | 14.0% | -21 | -1.9pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 285 | 13.6% | 12.7% | 233 | 11.7% | 11.3% | +52 | +1.9pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 254 | 12.1% | 11.8% | 277 | 14.0% | 13.3% | -23 | -1.9pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 163 | 7.8% | 7.8% | 194 | 9.8% | 9.3% | -31 | -2.0pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 157 | 7.5% | 7.1% | 134 | 6.8% | 6.2% | +23 | +0.7pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 210 | 10.0% | 10.0% | 184 | 9.3% | 10.3% | +26 | +0.7pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 24 | 1.1% | 1.8% | 38 | 1.9% | 1.7% | -14 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 2,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,985 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +115 | 0.0pp |