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 Coffs Harbour (C), accounting for 19.8% (6,729 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (19.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Community And Personal Service Workers, which increased by 1,208 people and 1.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Occupation of employment

Coffs Harbour (C) - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises occupation of employment for Coffs Harbour (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Occupation of employment snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Coffs Harbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Coffs Harbour (C)
Regional NSW

Total Occupation Managers

2021 count

4,144

% of total

12.2%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Total Occupation Professionals

2021 count

6,729

% of total

19.8%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers

2021 count

4,519

% of total

13.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers

2021 count

4,882

% of total

14.3%

Change from 2016

+1.9pp

Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers

2021 count

4,148

% of total

12.2%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Total Occupation Sales Workers

2021 count

3,316

% of total

9.7%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers

2021 count

1,610

% of total

4.7%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Total Occupation Labourers

2021 count

4,135

% of total

12.1%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated

2021 count

576

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Occupation of employment for Coffs Harbour (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Occupation of employment for Coffs Harbour (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Occupation of employment for Coffs Harbour (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
Total Occupation Managers4,14412.2%13.4%3,53411.9%13.0%+610+0.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals6,72919.8%19.2%5,55518.8%18.1%+1,174+1.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers4,51913.3%14.5%4,00613.5%14.8%+513-0.2pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers4,88214.3%13.2%3,67412.4%11.9%+1,208+1.9pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers4,14812.2%11.7%3,86513.0%12.4%+283-0.8pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers3,3169.7%8.5%3,19910.8%9.6%+117-1.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers1,6104.7%6.9%1,5905.4%7.1%+20-0.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers4,13512.1%10.9%3,70212.5%11.4%+433-0.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated5761.7%1.8%5071.7%1.6%+690.0pp
Total34,050100.0%100.0%29,620100.0%100.0%+4,4300.0pp