Employment (total) is the most accurate and up to date measure of the total number of people employed in Cairns. The statistics are modelled by NIEIR to correct for the known undercount of jobs recorded in the Census. They estimate the total number of persons employed in an industry sector (full-time and part-time) in Cairns regardless of where they live. They are updated annually.
By comparing the number of jobs in each industry sector to a regional benchmark, you can clearly see the structure of Cairns's economy. This can be done by directly comparing the area to its benchmark, or by using a location quotient to look at the relative size of industries.
Estimated total employment by industry should not be considered as a "Full-Time Equivalent" measure as different industries will have different ratios of part-time and full time employees. Full-time employment by industry statistics are also available.
To see how employment is distributed across the area, see the Employment locations section and to see where people come from to work in these industries, these data should be viewed in conjunction with Workers place of residence by industry data.
More granular sub-categories for each industry sector are available in the Employment by industry (Census) counts. While Census figures undercount employment they do provide a more detailed picture of the specific industries operating in the area.
Data source
National Economics (NIEIR) - Modelled series
Current benchmark:
Comparison year:
| Employment (total) by industry | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 2022/23 | 2017/18 | Change | ||||||
| Industry | Number | % | Queensland | Number | % | Queensland | 2017/18 - 2022/23 | ||
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 1,270 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 1,295 | 1.6 | 2.6 | -25 | ||
| Mining | 340 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 283 | 0.4 | 2.5 | +57 | ||
| Manufacturing | 3,534 | 4.0 | 6.4 | 3,460 | 4.4 | 6.9 | +74 | ||
| Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | 1,001 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 919 | 1.2 | 1.3 | +82 | ||
| Construction | 7,629 | 8.6 | 9.7 | 7,655 | 9.6 | 9.7 | -26 | ||
| Wholesale Trade | 1,683 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 1,831 | 2.3 | 2.7 | -148 | ||
| Retail Trade | 8,407 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 8,806 | 11.1 | 9.9 | -399 | ||
| Accommodation and Food Services | 8,146 | 9.2 | 6.9 | 7,956 | 10.0 | 7.2 | +191 | ||
| Transport, Postal and Warehousing | 6,493 | 7.3 | 5.4 | 4,928 | 6.2 | 5.5 | +1,565 | ||
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 586 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 683 | 0.9 | 1.3 | -97 | ||
| Financial and Insurance Services | 1,167 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 1,168 | 1.5 | 2.5 | -1 | ||
| Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services | 1,423 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1,616 | 2.0 | 1.9 | -193 | ||
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 4,759 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 3,651 | 4.6 | 6.6 | +1,108 | ||
| Administrative and Support Services | 3,940 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 3,137 | 3.9 | 3.4 | +803 | ||
| Public Administration and Safety | 6,698 | 7.6 | 6.6 | 6,310 | 7.9 | 6.7 | +389 | ||
| Education and Training | 8,887 | 10.0 | 9.2 | 7,437 | 9.4 | 9.2 | +1,450 | ||
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 16,893 | 19.1 | 16.2 | 12,944 | 16.3 | 14.1 | +3,950 | ||
| Arts and Recreation Services | 1,407 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1,663 | 2.1 | 1.7 | -256 | ||
| Other Services | 4,297 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 3,801 | 4.8 | 4.1 | +497 | ||
| Total industries | 88,563 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 79,542 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +9,021 | ||
Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) ©2023. Compiled and presented in economy.id by .id (informed decisions). NIEIR-ID data are adjusted each year, using updated employment estimates. Each release may change previous years’ figures. Learn more Please refer to specific data notes for more information | |||||||||
Dominant groups
An analysis of the jobs held by the local workers in Cairns in 2022/23 shows the three largest industries were:
- Health Care and Social Assistance (16,893 people or 19.1%)
- Education and Training (8,887 people or 10.0%)
- Retail Trade (8,407 people or 9.5%)
In combination these three industries accounted for 34,188 people in total or 38.6% of the local workers.
In comparison, Queensland employed 16.2% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.2% in Education and Training and 9.1% in Retail Trade.
The major differences between the jobs held by local workers of Cairns and Queensland were:
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Health Care and Social Assistance (19.1% compared to 16.2%)
- A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Manufacturing (4.0% compared to 6.4%)
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Accommodation and Food Services (9.2% compared to 6.9%)
- A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Mining (0.4% compared to 2.5%)
Emerging groups
The number of local workers in Cairns increased by 9,021 between 2017/18 and 2022/23.
- Health Care and Social Assistance (+3,950 local workers)
- Transport, Postal and Warehousing (+1,565 local workers)
- Education and Training (+1,450 local workers)
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+1,108 local workers)