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, Technicians And Trades Workers was the most common occupation group among employed residents in East Pilbara (S), accounting for 28.1% (1,366 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (17.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Machinery Operators And Drivers, which decreased by 535 people and 4.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
East Pilbara (S) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for East Pilbara (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Pilbara (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
313
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
313
6.4%
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
528
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
528
10.9%
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
1,366
% of total
28.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,366
28.1%
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
307
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
307
6.3%
+2.1pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
305
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
305
6.3%
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
144
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
144
3.0%
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
1,239
% of total
25.5%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
1,239
25.5%
-4.8pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
562
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
562
11.6%
+1.9pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
97
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
97
2.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
-85
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Professionals
-119
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
-304
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+62
+2.1pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
-8
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+26
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
-535
-4.8pp
Total Occupation Labourers
-5
+1.9pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
-24
-0.1pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for East Pilbara (S). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 313 | 6.4% | 14.3% | 398 | 6.8% | 14.4% | -85 | -0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 528 | 10.9% | 14.6% | 647 | 11.1% | 13.8% | -119 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 1,366 | 28.1% | 17.6% | 1,670 | 28.5% | 18.4% | -304 | -0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 307 | 6.3% | 10.9% | 245 | 4.2% | 9.8% | +62 | +2.1pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 305 | 6.3% | 10.3% | 313 | 5.3% | 10.6% | -8 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 144 | 3.0% | 7.1% | 118 | 2.0% | 7.7% | +26 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 1,239 | 25.5% | 10.8% | 1,774 | 30.3% | 11.0% | -535 | -4.8pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 562 | 11.6% | 12.5% | 567 | 9.7% | 12.6% | -5 | +1.9pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 97 | 2.0% | 1.9% | 121 | 2.1% | 1.7% | -24 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,859 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,853 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -994 | 0.0pp |