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 Shellharbour (C), accounting for 16.7% (5,750 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (14.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 1,471 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Shellharbour (C) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Shellharbour (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shellharbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
3,402
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
3,402
9.9%
+0.8pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
5,682
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
5,682
16.5%
+2.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
5,750
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
5,750
16.7%
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
4,871
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
4,871
14.1%
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
4,564
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
4,564
13.2%
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
3,247
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
3,247
9.4%
-1.8pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
2,951
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,951
8.5%
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
3,471
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
3,471
10.1%
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
579
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
579
1.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+721
+0.8pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+1,471
+2.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+560
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+987
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+582
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
-83
-1.8pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+278
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+294
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+109
+0.1pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Shellharbour (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 3,402 | 9.9% | 13.4% | 2,681 | 9.1% | 13.0% | +721 | +0.8pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 5,682 | 16.5% | 19.2% | 4,211 | 14.2% | 18.1% | +1,471 | +2.3pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 5,750 | 16.7% | 14.5% | 5,190 | 17.5% | 14.8% | +560 | -0.8pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 4,871 | 14.1% | 13.2% | 3,884 | 13.1% | 11.9% | +987 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 4,564 | 13.2% | 11.7% | 3,982 | 13.4% | 12.4% | +582 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 3,247 | 9.4% | 8.5% | 3,330 | 11.2% | 9.6% | -83 | -1.8pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 2,951 | 8.5% | 6.9% | 2,673 | 9.0% | 7.1% | +278 | -0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 3,471 | 10.1% | 10.9% | 3,177 | 10.7% | 11.4% | +294 | -0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 579 | 1.7% | 1.8% | 470 | 1.6% | 1.6% | +109 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 34,522 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,606 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,916 | 0.0pp |