Back in the 1960s, the majority of professions were dominated by men, while females were subjected to roles like sewing and cleaning. Fast-forward a few decades, and women are bossing it across the globe!
While the gender pay gap still exists, it’s gradually shrinking, with women making up nearly half of the US workforce. And with that in mind, females have actually dominated a large sector of the market.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the top 20 female-dominated careers.
The careers dominated by women
Some professions are highly popular among women across the world. Want to find out more? Continue reading below!
20. Veterinary technologists and technicians
Total employed (men and women): 148,000
Percentage of women: 88.4%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 20%
Annual average salary: $36,850
It comes as no surprise that such a nurturing role would be dominated by women. Veterinary technologists and technicians assist vets when it comes to handling laboratory animals as well as pets and livestock. They can be found assisting procedures and general checkups in a vet’s clinic. They also conduct tests to diagnose and detect illnesses in animals.
19. Interior designers
Total employed (men and women): 125,000
Percentage of women: 88.5%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 1%
Annual average salary: $60,340
Interior designers help individuals and business with the esthetics of their home, storefront or office. They help their clients with décor and furniture to ensure that the final look is pleasing on the eye. An exciting role for those who love fashion, architecture, textiles and interiors!
18. Nurse practitioners
Total employed (men and women): 263,000
Percentage of women: 88.7%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 46%
Annual average salary: $120,680
A nurse practitioner is an advanced registered nurse who is trained to assess patient needs, as well as order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescribe medicines, diagnose illnesses, and provide detailed treatment plans. These are duties that are normally performed as physicians, whereas registered nurses assist nurse practitioners and doctors.
17. Licensed practical nurses
Total employed (men and women): 588,000
Percentage of women: 88.9%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 6%
Annual average salary: $48,070
Licensed practical nurses are trained to provide basic care to ill or injured patients. The job is still important in a medical setting, and these professionals assist with general tasks, update patient records, draw blood and prepare patients for treatments, ensuring procedures run as smoothly as possible.
16. HR assistants
Total employed (men and women): 89,000
Percentage of women: 89.1%
Job outlook (2021–2031): -2%
Annual average salary: $45,930
HR assistants provide daily administration to HR departments and companies. They assist HR managers with recruitment, payroll processes, record maintenance, and with resolving conflict and enforcing company policies. To become an HR assistant, you don’t necessarily require a degree, although one in business is advisable.
15. Medical assistants
Total employed (men and women): 541,000
Percentage of women: 89.2%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 16%
Annual average salary: $37,190
Medical assistants assist in doctor’s offices, hospitals and other healthcare facilities with administrative work. They don’t necessarily need a degree but will need knowledge of medical programs and computer software. Medical assistants also complete paperwork and work with patients to take vital signs and administer immunizations.
14. Nursing assistants
Total employed (men and women): 1,236,000
Percentage of women: 90%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 5%
Annual average salary: $30,310
Nursing assistants work with medical registered nurses to assist with basic medical tasks like changing dressings, bathing, removing and inserting catheters, and checking vital signs. To become a nursing assistant, you need to complete a state-approved medical program, along with on-the-job training.
13. Receptionists
Total employed (men and women): 1,171,000
Percentage of women: 90.3%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 0%
Annual average salary: $29,950
Receptionists greet visitors, help them navigate through an office and offer refreshments while they wait. They also conduct administrative tasks and are the first face or voice most people hear in that business. So, it comes as no surprise that such a personable role is dominated by women.
12. Floral designers
Total employed (men and women): 58,000
Percentage of women: 90.8%
Job outlook (2021–2031): -21%
Annual average salary: $29,880
Floral designers make flower arrangements for various occasions and are in high demand when it comes to big events. To succeed in this role, you must have a creative flair and an eye for detail. Since it goes hand in hand with fashion, it’s a job that plenty of women opt for.
11. Payroll clerks
Total employed (men and women): 126,000
Percentage of women: 92.4%
Job outlook (2021–2031): -15%
Annual average salary: $47,610
A payroll clerk processes employees’ paychecks by collecting their data and inputting into timesheets. They verify employees’ hours and issue deductions and update records on a monthly basis. To perform well in this role, you’ll need great attention to detail and a love for numbers.
10. Secretaries and administrative assistants
Total employed (men and women): 1,915,000
Percentage of women: 92.5%
Job outlook (2021–2031): -10%
Annual average salary: $37,880
Secretaries and administrative assistants are found in all companies and industries, so depending on your interest, you can find this role in a company or field that you like. You won’t necessarily need any higher education, either. With some experience and a strong work ethic, plenty of women succeed in this role.
9. Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists
Total employed (men and women): 720,000
Percentage of women: 93.1%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 11%
Annual average salary: $29,680
Women make up the large majority of the hairdressing and cosmetology field. Typically, hairdressers can be found in salons, but there are also some who freelance and travel to clients’ homes. The same goes for cosmetologists. With plenty of flexibility in this field, it’s one that plenty of women and mothers gravitate towards.
8. Dental assistants
Total employed (men and women): 327,000
Percentage of women: 94.1%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 8%
Annual average salary: $38,660
Dental assistants directly support dentists by providing basic dental care, assisting with procedures, scheduling appointments and conducting other administrative work. The educational requirements are less vigorous of those of a dental hygienist, and assistants typically learn on the job.
7. Childcare workers
Total employed (men and women): 1,007,000
Percentage of women: 94.3%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 6%
Annual average salary: $27,490
Childcare workers can be found in a variety of settings, including daycare centers, schools and private households. They typically care for babies and young children, dressing and feeding them, providing plenty of activities and education. In daycares, they normally assist kindergarten teachers.
6. Executive secretaries and administrative assistants
Total employed (men and women): 244,000
Percentage of women: 94.8%
Job outlook (2021–2031): -20%
Annual average salary: $62,060
Executive secretaries work for high-level employees and help manage and maintain executives’ busy schedules. They make travel arrangements, prepare invoices and financial reports, update spreadsheets, and carry out any tasks that are required of them. It’s usually a role filled with plenty of different tasks, so multitasking skills are a must!
5. Dental hygienists
Total employed (men and women): 217,000
Percentage of women: 96.3%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 9%
Annual average salary: $77,810
Dental hygienists normally perform cleaning of the teeth and other oral care. Unlike orthodontists, you don’t need such an intense education to qualify for this position. It normally takes three years to complete the course and obtain a qualification. In addition, you must also be licensed in the state that you work in.
4. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
Total employed (men and women): 74,000
Percentage of women: 97.3%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 8%
Annual average salary: $37,450
Unlike regular administrative assistants, medical secretaries and administrative assistants also need to know medical terminology. General duties include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports and correspondence. They can typically be found in hospitals, clinics and laboratories.
3. Preschool and kindergarten teachers
Total employed (men and women): 645,000
Percentage of women: 97.4%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 4%
Annual average salary: $60,900
Preschool and kindergarten teachers provide care and education to children under the age of five. They’re responsible for planning classes according to government requirements. Early childhood degrees are normally required when working with children under five.
2. Speech-language pathologists
Total employed (men and women): 171,000
Percentage of women: 97.6%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 21%
Annual average salary: $79,060
Speech-language pathologists help assess, diagnose and treat speech, language and communication issues in children and adults. They use cognitive therapy to help overcome communication and swallowing disorders.
1. Skincare specialists
Total employed (men and women): 96,000
Percentage of women: 98.7%
Job outlook (2021–2031): 17%
Annual average salary: $37,300
Skincare specialists is the highest female-dominated career. They work on assessing an individual’s skin and offering treatments to improve and overcome their issues. Skincare specialists are generally found in spas and salons but also work in a freelance setting or in self-established businesses.
FAQs about gender equality
Over the last decade, there’s been a lot of talk about gender equality, and although the gap is shorter than ever, some still believe that men get preferential treatment in the workplace. So, to put some answers to common questions, we’ve dived into the facts.
What percent of CEOs are female?
Of the 1,780,000 employed chief executives, only 29.2% are female. Meanwhile, only 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are female. However, although this number seems significant, it shows that women are heading into the right direction. Many CEOs are now able to have a successful work and family life — just like working men.
Which industries need more women?
Industries that require manual labor are less favored among women for physiological reasons, but that’s not to say that women aren’t capable of doing the job. Plumbing, for example, is an industry that is growing more popular among female workers. In addition, finance and IT were once male-dominated, but we’re seeing plenty of women now entering this space.
What percent of the labor force is female?
There was once a time where the labor force was dominated by men, as women were expected to stay at home and raise children. But in 2023, of the 158,291,000 total employed workers in the US, 46.8% are female, proving that the gender gap is coming to an end.
Why are there fewer female managers?
Motherhood is one of the primary reasons that females are held back from managerial roles. Many corporate leaders are prejudiced against women in the workplace and believe that their personal life will restrict them from being a good leader. However, the reality is quite the opposite: females are able to run an entire household while working a full-time job — a skill that most men don’t possess!
Does the gender pay gap still exist?
According to the Pew Research Center, for every $1 earned by men, women earn $0.82. So, it’s evident that the gender pay gap does still exist in most workplaces. Hopefully, in years to come, this gap will be non-existent, as men and women deserve to earn an equal amount.
Key takeaways
Naturally, women are going to gravitate to certain roles like cosmetology and childcare, but that doesn’t mean that women aren’t capable of doing jobs beyond those in this list.
Here are the main key takeaways from this article:
- Gender inequality still exists in the workplace.
- There are fewer female labor managers.
- Skincare specialists are mainly women.
Are you surprised by any of the roles included in this list? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment in the section below.
