A Resume Genius report released on March 3 says that while progress toward gender equality remains slow, some career paths offer above-average representation and higher wages for women.
Resume Genius, an online career platform and resume writing company, used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the top 10 careers with the highest median pay and projected employment growth where women make up at least 50% of the workforce.
“All of these roles are very well paid and require specialized knowledge and skills,” says Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius. “For women who are very ambitious and looking to move up the career ladder, these are very good roles to aspire to.”
Chan points out that there are many jobs in the healthcare industry, including roles such as physician assistant and nurse practitioner. According to career coach Colleen Paulson, women have historically been drawn to careers in health care. That’s because it allows for “a little more flexibility” in scheduling, which “helps keep women in the workforce through life changes like childbirth.”
Chan said healthcare roles often offer clear advancement opportunities and competitive pay and benefits, making it easier for women to plan for the long term. These jobs also offer a “very stable” career path, she says, as medical professionals are in high demand.
According to Resume Genius, these show the top 10 highest-paying female-led careers, along with the median salary for each role, the percentage of women in the field, estimated growth rates from 2024 to 2034, and associated education requirements.
1. Financial Manager
Average annual salary: $161,700
Female ratio: 53%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 15%
Education: Bachelor’s degree
2. Human Resources Manager
Average annual salary: $140,030
Female ratio: 76%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 5%
Education: Bachelor’s degree
3. Pharmacist
Average annual salary: $137,480
Female ratio: 60%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 5%
Education: Doctor of Pharmacy
4.Physician Assistant
Average annual salary: $133,260
Female ratio: 73%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 20%
Education: Master’s degree
5. Public Relations/Fundraising Manager
Average annual salary: $132,870
Female ratio: 70%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 5%
Education: Bachelor’s degree
6. Nursing Practitioner
Average annual salary: $132,050
Female ratio: 88%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 35%
Education: Master’s degree
7. Veterinarian
Average annual salary: $125,510
Female ratio: 69%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 10%
Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
8. Medical health administrator
Average annual salary: $117,960
Female ratio: 74%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 23%
Education: Bachelor’s degree
9. Occupational therapist
Average annual salary: $98,340
Female ratio: 88%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 14%
Education: Master’s degree
10. Speech therapist
Average annual salary: $95,410
Female ratio: 95%
Estimated employment growth rate from 2024 to 2034: 15%
Education: Master’s degree
Representation in some positions is gradually increasing
The report also identified several high-paying occupations where women are under-represented but on the rise, including roles such as mechanical engineers and surgeons. Still, professional segregation remains a concern, Paulson said.
For example, while the percentage of women in mechanical engineering has nearly doubled (from 6% in the 1980s to 11% in 2024, according to data from Resume Genius), women are still significantly underrepresented in the field, said Paulson, who previously worked as a mechanical engineer.
In Paulson’s experience, women are often deterred from pursuing these career fields by the prospect of being the only woman in a male-dominated environment. “It’s great that there’s more representation, but it’s probably still not what we really want,” she says.
Part of the solution, she says, is for companies to prioritize inclusive workplace cultures. That might mean sponsoring internships for early-career women, establishing mentoring groups, or hosting networking events.
“It starts with truly welcoming young women and making them want to stay in the field,” Paulson said.
Chan says women in these well-paid but historically male-dominated roles are being encouraged to achieve more “leadership, influence and advancement.” But “there’s always more to do.”
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