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 Cooktown, accounting for 20.8% (221 people). This share was higher than Cook (S) (17.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Machinery Operators And Drivers, which decreased by 33 people and 3.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Occupation of employment

Cooktown - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises occupation of employment for Cooktown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cook (S) and change since 2016.

Occupation of employment snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Cooktown, with comparison markers for Cook (S).

Cooktown
Cook (S)

Total Occupation Managers

2021 count

139

% of total

13.1%

Change from 2016

+2.2pp

Total Occupation Professionals

2021 count

221

% of total

20.8%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers

2021 count

135

% of total

12.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers

2021 count

148

% of total

13.9%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers

2021 count

126

% of total

11.9%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Total Occupation Sales Workers

2021 count

85

% of total

8.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers

2021 count

54

% of total

5.1%

Change from 2016

-3.2pp

Total Occupation Labourers

2021 count

128

% of total

12.1%

Change from 2016

-2.7pp

Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated

2021 count

20

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Data table

Occupation of employment for Cooktown. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).

Occupation of employment for Cooktown. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).
Occupation of employment for Cooktown. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cook (S)%Count%Cook (S)%Countpp
Total Occupation Managers13913.1%18.0%11410.9%14.5%+25+2.2pp
Total Occupation Professionals22120.8%17.9%20819.8%17.9%+13+1.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers13512.7%11.3%13212.6%13.1%+3+0.1pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers14813.9%12.0%12912.3%11.6%+19+1.6pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers12611.9%10.9%11911.3%9.6%+7+0.6pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers858.0%5.8%848.0%5.8%+10.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers545.1%6.5%878.3%8.1%-33-3.2pp
Total Occupation Labourers12812.1%15.2%15514.8%17.0%-27-2.7pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated201.9%3.0%262.5%2.2%-6-0.6pp
Total1,061100.0%100.0%1,050100.0%100.0%+110.0pp