At the 2016 census, three occupations accounted for 46% of the labour force on the Gold Coast: these were professionals (18%), trades (15%), and clerical workers (13.5%). There were less professionals when compared to Queensland (20%) and Australian (22%) figures, but there were more trades workers when compared to state (14%) and national (13%) figures. The percentage of clerical workers was the same as state and national figures. All other occupation groups were the same as the state and national percentages.
At the same time, there were five main industries which accounted for 50% of the labour force on the Gold Coast: health (12.5%), construction (11.5%), retail (11%), accommodation and food (10%), and education (8%). Gold Coast employment in the health, retail, and education industries was the same as state and national figures, while there were more people employed in construction (Qld 9% Aust 8%) and accommodation and food (Qld 7% Aust 7%). Employment in all other industries was the same as state and national percentages.
So apart from there being more trade workers employed in construction, there were only two variations from state and national figures: there are less professionals employed on the Gold Coast and more people employed in the food and accommodation industry.All other occupation and industry figures varied by no more than 1% from state and national percentages.