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, Community And Personal Service Workers was the most common occupation group among employed residents in Edinburgh, accounting for 56.5% (204 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (14.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Community And Personal Service Workers, which increased by 81 people and 4.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Occupation of employment

Edinburgh - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises occupation of employment for Edinburgh in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.

Occupation of employment snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Edinburgh, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).

Edinburgh
Salisbury (C)

Total Occupation Managers

2021 count

26

% of total

7.2%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Total Occupation Professionals

2021 count

38

% of total

10.5%

Change from 2016

+4.2pp

Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers

2021 count

49

% of total

13.6%

Change from 2016

-5.4pp

Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers

2021 count

204

% of total

56.5%

Change from 2016

+4.6pp

Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers

2021 count

9

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Total Occupation Sales Workers

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers

2021 count

27

% of total

7.5%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Total Occupation Labourers

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated

2021 count

6

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

Occupation of employment for Edinburgh. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).

Occupation of employment for Edinburgh. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Occupation of employment for Edinburgh. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Salisbury (C)%Count%Salisbury (C)%Countpp
Total Occupation Managers267.2%8.7%198.0%8.6%+7-0.8pp
Total Occupation Professionals3810.5%14.0%156.3%12.9%+23+4.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers4913.6%14.5%4519.0%14.9%+4-5.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers20456.5%14.8%12351.9%13.4%+81+4.6pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers92.5%12.7%31.3%13.7%+6+1.2pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers00.0%8.7%00.0%10.2%00.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers277.5%9.8%218.9%9.7%+6-1.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers00.0%14.5%00.0%14.7%00.0pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated61.7%2.2%31.3%1.9%+3+0.4pp
Total361100.0%100.0%237100.0%100.0%+1240.0pp