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, Professionals was the most common occupation group among employed residents in Sunshine Coast (R), accounting for 21.1% (33,789 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (18%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 8,974 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Sunshine Coast (R) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Sunshine Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
19,747
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
19,747
12.3%
+0.6pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
33,789
% of total
21.1%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
33,789
21.1%
+2.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
24,290
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
24,290
15.2%
-1.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
21,525
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
21,525
13.4%
+1.3pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
19,410
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
19,410
12.1%
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
15,288
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
15,288
9.5%
-1.6pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
7,863
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
7,863
4.9%
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
15,619
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
15,619
9.7%
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
2,769
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,769
1.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+4,634
+0.6pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+8,974
+2.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+3,314
-1.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+5,843
+1.3pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+2,670
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+863
-1.6pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+1,317
-0.1pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+2,219
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+823
+0.2pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Sunshine Coast (R). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 19,747 | 12.3% | 12.4% | 15,113 | 11.7% | 12.4% | +4,634 | +0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 33,789 | 21.1% | 18.0% | 24,815 | 19.1% | 16.7% | +8,974 | +2.0pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 24,290 | 15.2% | 15.1% | 20,976 | 16.2% | 15.7% | +3,314 | -1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 21,525 | 13.4% | 13.0% | 15,682 | 12.1% | 11.8% | +5,843 | +1.3pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 19,410 | 12.1% | 11.8% | 16,740 | 12.9% | 12.5% | +2,670 | -0.8pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 15,288 | 9.5% | 9.1% | 14,425 | 11.1% | 10.2% | +863 | -1.6pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 7,863 | 4.9% | 7.3% | 6,546 | 5.0% | 7.6% | +1,317 | -0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 15,619 | 9.7% | 11.2% | 13,400 | 10.3% | 11.6% | +2,219 | -0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 2,769 | 1.7% | 2.0% | 1,946 | 1.5% | 1.6% | +823 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 160,291 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 129,641 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +30,650 | 0.0pp |