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 Atherton, accounting for 15.8% (486 people). This share was higher than Tablelands (R) (15.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Community And Personal Service Workers, which increased by 102 people and 2.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Occupation of employment

Atherton - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises occupation of employment for Atherton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.

Occupation of employment snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Atherton, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).

Atherton
Tablelands (R)

Total Occupation Managers

2021 count

349

% of total

11.3%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Total Occupation Professionals

2021 count

486

% of total

15.8%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers

2021 count

414

% of total

13.4%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers

2021 count

456

% of total

14.8%

Change from 2016

+2.4pp

Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers

2021 count

344

% of total

11.2%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Total Occupation Sales Workers

2021 count

305

% of total

9.9%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers

2021 count

205

% of total

6.6%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Total Occupation Labourers

2021 count

455

% of total

14.8%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated

2021 count

78

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Data table

Occupation of employment for Atherton. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).

Occupation of employment for Atherton. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
Occupation of employment for Atherton. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Tablelands (R)%Count%Tablelands (R)%Countpp
Total Occupation Managers34911.3%15.3%33411.7%15.7%+15-0.4pp
Total Occupation Professionals48615.8%15.4%45916.1%15.4%+27-0.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers41413.4%13.7%40314.1%13.7%+11-0.7pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers45614.8%13.0%35412.4%11.9%+102+2.4pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers34411.2%10.4%34712.1%11.2%-3-0.9pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers3059.9%8.3%32811.5%9.3%-23-1.6pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers2056.6%7.2%1786.2%7.5%+27+0.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers45514.8%14.4%41814.6%13.7%+37+0.2pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated782.5%2.3%321.1%1.6%+46+1.4pp
Total3,084100.0%100.0%2,857100.0%100.0%+2270.0pp