People's capacity to adapt to shifting and emerging climate conditions is one of the most important characteristics to consider when addressing climate risks. This study explores the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of individuals in various sectors of employment in three coastal communities of the Dominican Republic to changing climate conditions. Participants included individuals who directly use marine resources for their occupation and those who do not. Specific research questions in this study are: What are the factors related to vulnerability and adaptive capacity in coastal communities of the Dominican Republic? Do these factors vary between direct resource users and non-direct resource users? Do these factors vary amongst individuals who do and do not share household responsibility for income?Principal component analysis of responses to 26 likert statements resulted in seven factors related to occupational adaptive capacity. Results suggest that many of these factors are similar across individuals in coastal Dominican Republic. However, direct resource users displayed greater attachment to occupation than non-direct users, indicating perhaps a lower willingness to change. Sole providers of household income exhibited lower financial security than those with shared responsibility, which suggests restricted ability to make changes in livelihood. This research can inform climate change preparedness in coastal communities of the Dominican Republic and beyond regarding the characteristics and circumstances that facilitate or inhibit an individual's occupational adaptation in a changing environment.