Sunshine Coast
Occupation of employment
There were more professionals in Sunshine Coast in 2021 than any other occupation.
Sunshine Coast'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 Sunshine Coast's socio-economic status and skill base.
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?'
Employed persons aged 15 years and over
| Occupation of employment | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast - Employed persons (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Occupation | Number | % | Regional QLD % | Number | % | Regional QLD % | 2011 to 2021 | |
| Managers | 19,747 | 12.3 | 12.4 | 13,776 | 12.0 | 12.5 | +5,971 | 15001 |
| Professionals | 33,789 | 21.1 | 18.0 | 20,620 | 18.0 | 15.6 | +13,168 | 15002 |
 Technicians and Trades Workers | 24,290 | 15.2 | 15.1 | 18,670 | 16.3 | 16.3 | +5,619 | 15003 |
| Community and Personal Service Workers | 21,525 | 13.4 | 13.0 | 12,267 | 10.7 | 10.3 | +9,257 | 15004 |
| Clerical and Administrative Workers | 19,410 | 12.1 | 11.8 | 15,894 | 13.9 | 13.2 | +3,515 | 15005 |
| Sales Workers | 15,288 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 13,235 | 11.6 | 10.2 | +2,053 | 15006 |
| Machinery Operators And Drivers | 7,863 | 4.9 | 7.3 | 6,168 | 5.4 | 8.2 | +1,695 | 15007 |
| Labourers | 15,619 | 9.7 | 11.2 | 12,133 | 10.6 | 11.9 | +3,486 | 15008 |
| Not stated or inadequately described | 2,766 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1,601 | 1.4 | 1.8 | +1,165 | 15009 |
| Total employed persons aged 15+ | 160,291 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 114,367 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +45,923 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
(Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
An analysis of the jobs held by the resident population in Sunshine Coast in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:
- Professionals (33,789 people or 21.1%)
- Technicians and Trades Workers (24,290 people or 15.2%)
- Community and Personal Service Workers (21,525 people or 13.4%)
In combination these three occupations accounted for 79,604 people in total or 49.7% of the employed resident population.
In comparison, Regional QLD employed 18.0% in Professionals; 15.1% in Technicians and Trades Workers; and 13.0% in Community and Personal Service Workers.
The major differences between the jobs held by the population of Sunshine Coast and Regional QLD were:
- A larger percentage of persons employed as Professionals (21.1% compared to 18.0%)
- A smaller percentage of persons employed as Machinery Operators And Drivers (4.9% compared to 7.3%)
- A smaller percentage of persons employed as Labourers (9.7% compared to 11.2%)
Emerging groups
The number of employed people in Sunshine Coast increased by 45,924 between 2011 and 2021.
The largest changes in the occupations of residents between 2011 and 2021 in Sunshine Coast were for those employed as:
- Professionals (+13,168 persons)
- Community and Personal Service Workers (+9,257 persons)
- Managers (+5,971 persons)
- Technicians and Trades Workers (+5,619 persons)