Published: March 2018
The largest occupation group in Somerset are professional roles (19.2%), compared to 20.3% at a national level. Skilled trades are the next strongest group with 13.2% West Somerset had the highest proportion employed within Managers, directors and senior official sector with 18%.
Somerset has a smaller proportion of people employed in the public sector than the Heart of the South West area; 20% compared to 22.1%. Within the County there is a particular concentration of public sector employment in South Somerset (24%)
Average earnings in Somerset consistently lag behind the UK level. However, Sedgemoor has the lowest with £26,031 median earnings. Taunton Deane was the only district in Somerset which had a fall in average earnings over the year.
NB: The median is the value below which 50% of employees’ earnings fall.
48% of the Somerset population live in a Rural area compared to 18% across England overall - Rurality