Employment by occupation in the Greater West of England, 2004-2025

28 Jul 2026

This data insight presents trends in employment by occupation for the Greater West of England, defined here as Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes annual estimates of employment by occupation based on the UK Standard Occupational Classification (SOC2020). These data provide information on employment levels across broad occupation groups and detailed occupation sub-groups.

Short-term changes are shown for occupation sub-groups between 2021-2025. The headline statistics and narrative below refer to changes between 2024-2025. Long-term trends are presented for broad occupation groups between 2004-2025. Figures are presented as levels and absolute changes in employment.

+8,600

Change in the number of sales occupations in the Greater West of England, 2024-2025

–18,000

Change in the number of skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades in the Greater West of England, 2024-2025

+177,100

Increase in the number of professional occupations in the Greater West of England, 2004-2025

–48,100

Change in the number of administrative and secretarial occupations in the Greater West of England, 2004-2025

Change in employment by occupation sub-group, Greater West of England, 2021-2025

This visualisation shows the change in employment by occupation sub-group in the Greater West of England between 2024 and 2025.

Major increases in employment were recorded in sales occupations (+8,600), teaching and other educational professionals (+7,900), corporate managers and directors (+6,600), other managers and proprietors (+4,800), textiles, printing and other skilled trades (+4,600), caring personal service occupations (+4,200), and customer service occupations (+4,100).

Highest decreases in employment were recorded in skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades (–18,000), science, research, engineering and technology professionals (–10,100), and business and public service associate professionals (–9,000).

Changes are presented as absolute differences in employment between the two selected years. The dashboard allows comparison of different start and end years within the period 2021 to 2025.

Employment by broad occupation group, Greater West of England, 2004-2025

This visualisation shows employment levels by broad occupation group in the Greater West of England between 2004 and 2025.

Employment in professional occupations increased from 200,700 in 2004 to 377,800 in 2025. Associate professional and technical occupations increased from 148,800 to 239,000 over the same period.

Managers, directors and senior officials increased from 110,400 in 2004 to 178,400 in 2025. Caring, leisure and other service occupations increased from 82,300 to 108,800.

Administrative and secretarial occupations decreased from 151,300 in 2004 to 103,200 in 2025. Sales and customer service occupations decreased from 97,700 to 73,500. Skilled trades occupations decreased from 128,900 to 100,800, and process, plant and machine operatives decreased from 76,500 to 62,700.

Elementary occupations decreased from 122,200 in 2004 to 113,600 in 2025.

Figures are presented as employment levels.