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 Northam (S), accounting for 16.1% (739 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (17.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Community And Personal Service Workers, which increased by 54 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Northam (S) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Northam (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northam (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
573
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
573
12.5%
+0.5pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
579
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
579
12.7%
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
739
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
739
16.1%
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
571
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
571
12.5%
+0.6pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
545
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
545
11.9%
-1.3pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
415
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
415
9.1%
+0.7pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
465
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
465
10.2%
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
605
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
605
13.2%
-0.3pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
88
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
88
1.9%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+53
+0.5pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+25
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+23
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+54
+0.6pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
-29
-1.3pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+49
+0.7pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+20
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+21
-0.3pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+21
+0.4pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Northam (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 | 573 | 12.5% | 14.3% | 520 | 12.0% | 14.4% | +53 | +0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 579 | 12.7% | 14.6% | 554 | 12.8% | 13.8% | +25 | -0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 739 | 16.1% | 17.6% | 716 | 16.5% | 18.4% | +23 | -0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 571 | 12.5% | 10.9% | 517 | 11.9% | 9.8% | +54 | +0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 545 | 11.9% | 10.3% | 574 | 13.2% | 10.6% | -29 | -1.3pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 415 | 9.1% | 7.1% | 366 | 8.4% | 7.7% | +49 | +0.7pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 465 | 10.2% | 10.8% | 445 | 10.3% | 11.0% | +20 | -0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 605 | 13.2% | 12.5% | 584 | 13.5% | 12.6% | +21 | -0.3pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 88 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 67 | 1.5% | 1.7% | +21 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 4,577 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,337 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +240 | 0.0pp |