Employment
Occupations
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.
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 Melbourne (C), accounting for 39.4% (35,631 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (26.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 9,975 people.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Melbourne (C) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupations for Melbourne (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Chart view
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Total Occupation Managers
Total Occupation Professionals
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
Total Occupation Sales Workers
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
Total Occupation Labourers
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+2,599
-1.1pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+9,975
0.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+2,203
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+2,673
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+2,642
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+1,112
-1.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+1,272
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+2,150
+0.9pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+552
+0.1pp
Data table
Occupations for Melbourne (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 12,006 | 13.3% | 13.8% | 9,407 | 14.4% | 13.2% | +2,599 | -1.1pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 35,631 | 39.4% | 26.8% | 25,656 | 39.4% | 25.0% | +9,975 | 0.0pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 6,928 | 7.7% | 12.1% | 4,725 | 7.3% | 12.6% | +2,203 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 9,971 | 11.0% | 10.5% | 7,298 | 11.2% | 10.2% | +2,673 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 9,970 | 11.0% | 12.9% | 7,328 | 11.2% | 13.9% | +2,642 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 6,328 | 7.0% | 8.3% | 5,216 | 8.0% | 9.7% | +1,112 | -1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 2,166 | 2.4% | 5.8% | 894 | 1.4% | 5.6% | +1,272 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 5,671 | 6.3% | 7.8% | 3,521 | 5.4% | 8.1% | +2,150 | +0.9pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 1,670 | 1.8% | 2.0% | 1,118 | 1.7% | 1.7% | +552 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 90,347 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 65,156 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +25,191 | 0.0pp |