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Cairns Regional CouncilCommunity profile

Cairns

Occupation of employment

There were more male technicians and trades workers in Cairns in 2021 than any other occupation.

Cairns's occupation statistics quantify the occupations in which the residents work (which may be within the residing area or elsewhere). This will be influenced by the economic base and employment opportunities available in the area, education levels, and the working and social aspirations of the population. When viewed with other indicators, such as Educational Qualifications and Individual Income, Occupation is a key measure for evaluating Cairns's socio-economic status and skill base.

Q:

Derived from the two Census questions:

'In the main job held last week, what was the person's occupation?' and 'What are the main tasks that the person himself/herself usually performs in that occupation?'

Occupation of employment
Cairns - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
OccupationNumber%Regional QLD %Number%Regional QLD %2016 to 2021
Managers5,05212.814.74,80313.214.7+249
Professionals6,22915.813.65,62815.512.7+601
Technicians and Trades Workers10,04825.525.19,22625.425.7+822
Community and Personal Service Workers3,6979.47.03,2919.06.4+406
Clerical and Administrative Workers1,8924.84.21,8285.04.3+64
Sales Workers2,7507.06.52,7877.77.0-37
Machinery Operators And Drivers4,03410.212.73,73610.313.2+298
Labourers4,89812.413.74,36012.014.0+538
Not stated or inadequately described7962.02.37302.01.9+66
Total employed persons aged 15+39,400100.0100.036,389100.0100.0+3,011
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

An analysis of the jobs held by the male resident population in Cairns in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:

  • Technicians and Trades Workers (10,048 males or 25.5%)
  • Professionals (6,229 males or 15.8%)
  • Managers (5,052 males or 12.8%)

In combination these three occupations accounted for 21,329 males in total or 54.1% of the employed male resident population.

In comparison, Regional QLD employed 25.1% in Technicians and Trades Workers; 13.6% in Professionals; and 14.7% in Managers.

The major differences between the jobs held by the male population of Cairns and Regional QLD were:

  • A larger percentage of males employed as Community and Personal Service Workers (9.4% compared to 7.0%)
  • A larger percentage of males employed as Professionals (15.8% compared to 13.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed as Machinery Operators And Drivers (10.2% compared to 12.7%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed as Managers (12.8% compared to 14.7%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Cairns increased by 3,011 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the occupations of male residents between 2016 and 2021 in Cairns were for those employed as:

  • Technicians and Trades Workers (+822 males)
  • Professionals (+601 males)
  • Labourers (+538 males)
  • Community and Personal Service Workers (+406 males)

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