Ryan FowlerA recent study by HR software provider Ciphr has uncovered which jobs are most disproportionately common in different parts of the UK. The research, based on the ONS’s latest regional employee estimates for over 370 occupations, highlights roles that are more concentrated in certain areas compared to the UK average.
The study found that London has nearly twice the concentration of CEOs compared to the rest of the UK, with 76 CEOs per 10,000 employees versus the national average of 39 per 10,000. In contrast, Wales has the lowest concentration of CEOs, with just 14 per 10,000 employees.
Key findings for each region include:
London: The capital has the highest concentration of people employed in elementary storage occupations, such as order pickers and warehouse operators, at over four times the UK average. It also has three times the national average of actuaries, economists, statisticians, solicitors, lawyers, interior designers, authors, writers, translators, and brokers.
South East: Officers in the armed forces are the most disproportionately common occupation, with 35 per 10,000 employees, over twice the UK average. Other prevalent roles include biological scientists, computer system installers, medical secretaries, and train drivers.
East of England: This region has nearly three times the UK average of people employed in animal care services, including welfare officers, zookeepers, and vet assistants. High concentrations are also found in newspaper editors, transport managers, production engineers, and events managers.
East Midlands: The highest concentration of publicans and managers of licensed premises is nearly five times the UK average. The region also has more managers in agriculture, skilled metal trade supervisors, and large goods vehicle drivers.
Yorkshire and the Humber: Home to a higher than average share of pensions and insurance clerks, with 63 per 10,000 employees, 2.5 times the UK average. There are also twice as many mental health nurses and child and early years officers.
North East: Quality assurance technicians are nearly six times more common, with 68 per 10,000 employees. The region also has high shares of welding trades, elementary construction occupations, and call centre jobs.
Scotland: The highest concentration of early education and childcare practitioners, at four times the national average, is found here. Other prevalent roles include painters, decorators, IT quality professionals, bank clerks, architects, and NGO officers.
Northern Ireland: A high share of local and national government administrative occupations, with 151 and 183 per 10,000 employees respectively. There are also twice the number of teaching assistants, postal workers, and other nursing professionals.
North West: Over four times as many plasterers are found here, with 23 per 10,000 employees. Other common jobs include electrical technicians, careers advisers, and cybersecurity professionals.
West Midlands: Glaziers, window fabricators, and fitters are nearly three times more common. Other prevalent roles include metal working machine operatives, childcare services managers, credit controllers, forklift drivers, and electrical engineers.
Wales: Over twice as many plumbers and heating installers, with 92 per 10,000 employees. Higher numbers of educational support assistants and health and safety managers are also noted.
South West: This region has a significant cluster of boat and shipbuilders and repairers, with 30 per 10,000 employees, over six times the UK average. Also common are farm workers, non-commissioned officers, carpenters, and aerospace engineers.
These findings offer valuable insights into the unique employment landscapes across the UK, revealing regional variations in job concentrations and highlighting where certain professions are more prevalent.
