The employment rate for women in the United States reached its peak in the year 2000 when it reached 57.5 percent. Currently, it’s the lowest it’s been in decades, coming in at 51.5 percent. This decline has to do largely with the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the country’s employment across the board.
Even in non-pandemic times, women face unique struggles when it comes to finding and maintaining work in the United States, particularly when it comes to financial equality and the gender pay gap. Women, on average, earn 84 percent of what men earn for the same work.
The good news, though, is that many U.S. companies are working to close this gap and create more equity between men and women in the workplace. As a result, there are lots of high-paying jobs opening up for women throughout the country, many of which offer lots of growth opportunities and high levels of job satisfaction.
Read on to learn more about 30 top careers for women in the United States. For more information, you can also check out this list of the highest-paying jobs in the United States and this list of the most in-demand jobs in the US.
What Are the Top 10 High-Paying Careers for Women Working in the United States?
Whether you’re looking to make a career change or are looking to land your first job in the United States, one of your top priorities is most likely a high salary. If this is the case for you, listed below are 10 of the top high-paying careers for women in the United States:
Job Description: Physician assistants work under doctors to diagnose and treat patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a great career for women who want to work in the medical field but don’t want to spend as much time in school as a traditional physician.
Average Salary: $105,968 per year
Job Description: Software engineers build software programs for various organizations and individuals to use.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: For those who want to start working in tech, this is an example of United States careers for women with high salary that also offers lots of room for growth.
Average Salary: $107,536 per year
Job Description: Associate professors teach students at colleges and universities. They also conduct and oversee research projects.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Women can earn a lot of money in the teaching field, especially at the university/collegiate level.
Average Salary: $109,287 per year
Job Description: Chief executive officers sit at the head of various companies and are in charge of making decisions on behalf of the organization.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Women are entering the business field in the U.S. more than ever, and there are lots of opportunities for them to launch/lead their own companies.
Average Salary: $113,358 per year
Job Description: Nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and treat patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: For those who are looking for United States jobs for women with high salary, nurse practitioner is a rapidly growing choice, particularly for women who want to work in healthcare.
Average Salary: $117,045 per year
Job Description: Pharmacists fill prescriptions and provide advice to patients regarding over-the-counter medications.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: A career as a pharmacist is a great choice for women who want to work in healthcare and earn a higher-than-average salary.
Average Salary: $117,190 per year
Job Description: CRNAs administer anesthesia and monitor patients during surgeries.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a high-paying, high-demand career for women in healthcare that offers lots of room for growth.
Average Salary: $153,880 per year
Job Description: Physicians diagnose patients and treat various illnesses and injuries.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Women are pursuing careers in the medical field more frequently, including careers as physicians at hospitals and healthcare clinics.
Average Salary: $231,511 per year
Job Description: Dentists diagnose and treat various problems related to a patient’s teeth and/or gums.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Similar to other healthcare careers, women are seeking careers in dentistry more frequently and are earning high salaries as a result.
Average Salary: $235,234 per year
Job Description: Surgeons perform operations and counsel patients regarding their treatment options.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is one of the top high-paying careers for women in the United States because it requires a great deal of schooling and surgeons are in high demand throughout the country.
Average Salary: $259,911 per year
What Are the Top 10 High-Growth Careers for Women in the United States?
Many job seekers are also interested in careers that have lots of growth potential and plenty of opportunities to find work at various companies. Here are the top 10 high-growth careers for women in the United States to consider:
Job Description: Civil engineers design and oversee the implementation of various transportation and infrastructure-related projects.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Women are joining the engineering field more frequently, especially in response to growing infrastructure demands, making this one of the top jobs for women in the United States.
Average Salary: $83,970 per year
Job Description: Market research analysts work with various companies to help them gain more insight into their audience’s needs and preferences.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Women often find great success in the marketing industry, including working as market research analysts for both large and small businesses.
Average Salary: $63,790 per year
Job Description: Construction managers oversee teams of construction workers and ensure projects are completed on time and on or under budget.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: There’s been an increase in women working in the construction industry, and more women are starting to apply for management positions as a result.
Average Salary: $115,243 per year
Job Description: Physician assistants work under doctors to diagnose and treat patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: As the demand for workers in the medical field continues to grow, more opportunities will open up for women to work as physician assistants
Average Salary: $105,968 per year
Job Description: Environmental scientists conduct and analyze research regarding environmental preservation and protection.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is one of the top jobs for women in the United States, particularly those who value conservation and want to pursue a career that allows them to protect the planet.
Average Salary: $73,230 per year
Job Description: Network and computer systems administrators are in charge of organizing, installing, and supporting businesses’ computer systems.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a great career for women who want to work in tech. All kinds of businesses need network and computer systems administrators, so there are lots of openings available.
Average Salary: $83,510 per year
Job Description: Nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and treat patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Because there’s a growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in the United States, there’s also a lot of opportunities for women to find and fill these roles.
Average Salary: $117,045 per year
Job Description: Public relations managers are in charge of maintaining a company’s image and making sure it’s putting its best foot forward at all times.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Similar to careers in marketing, women can also find a lot of success and growth opportunities working in PR.
Average Salary: $113,058 per year
Job Description: Computer systems analysts study businesses’ computer systems and design solutions to help the company more efficiently and effectively.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is another high-paying, high-growth job for women who want to work in tech and find lots of opportunities to advance.
Average Salary: $90,920 per year
Job Description: Psychologists counsel clients and help them work through various mental health challenges.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is one of the best jobs for women in the United States because there is a high demand for mental health professionals right now, and it provides a high level of job satisfaction.
Average Salary: $94,904 per year
What Are the Top 10 Most Rewarding Careers for Women Working in the United States?
In addition to a high salary and high growth potential, most women also want to work in a highly rewarding field. If job satisfaction is important to you, the following are 10 of the most rewarding careers for women working in the United States:
Job Description: Dental hygienists work alongside dentists and assist with cleaning patients’ teeth.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is one of the best jobs for women in the United States because it offers a high level of job satisfaction and a generous salary.
Average Salary: $76,220 per year
Job Description: Physical therapists create treatment plans for patients who are recovering from surgeries, accidents, and injuries.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Women often find great success working as physical therapists and enjoy the fulfillment that comes with supporting patients’ recoveries.
Average Salary: $89,440
Job Description: Speech-language pathologists assist those who struggle with speech and communication disorders.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a highly fulfilling career for women that also offers a higher-than-average salary.
Average Salary: $79,120 per year
Job Description: Radiation therapists work with cancer patients and administer radiation treatments.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a challenging but rewarding career that women often enjoy and thrive in.
Average Salary: $85,560 per year
Job Description: Foresters work to create and carry out plans designed to preserve the country’s forested areas.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is one of the best careers for women in the United States who care about environmental conservation. It’s highly rewarding and gives them a chance to make a difference.
Average Salary: $61,790 per year
Job Description: Optometrists provide routine eye care, including conducting eye exams and writing prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a fulfilling career for women in the United States who want to work in healthcare and help people improve their vision, specifically.
Average Salary: $115,250 per year
Job Description: Occupation therapists help those who are disabled, ill, or injured to gain or regain the skills needed to perform everyday functions with ease.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a rewarding career that is also in high demand in the U.S. (and throughout the world) right now.
Average Salary: $84,950 per year
Job Description: Human resources managers work for companies of all sizes and oversee hiring, firing, and various aspects of personnel management.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: Women often do very well in HR-related roles and find these careers to be highly fulfilling.
Average Salary: $116,720 per year
Job Description: Actuaries work with insurance companies to analyze financial risk and calculate the likelihood of various events occurring.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is a great career for women who like to work with numbers and also want to earn a high salary.
Average Salary: $108,350 per year
Job Description: Education administrators manage teachers and other school staff members, put together curricula, and oversee the school’s budget.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in the United States: This is one of the best careers for women in the United States who want to work in education but also want to earn a high salary.
Average Salary: $96,400 per year
How to Get Started in One of the Top Careers for Women in the United States?
Now that you know more about the top careers for women in the United States, are you eager to start filling out applications and preparing for interviews? If so, here are some tips to keep in mind as you press forward with your job search:
Obtain Proper Documentation
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you will first need to obtain a visa and work permit (the official title is “Employment Authorization Document” or EAD). You’ll need to obtain a social security number and card, too.
Prep Your Resume or CV
If it’s been a while since you updated your resume or CV template, take a look at it. Make any updates to your work history or education before you start submitting it.
Prepare Answers to Common Questions
Before you start attending interviews, prepare answers to common questions like “why are you interested in this job?” or “what’s your experience with [insert subject here]?” If you have gaps in your resume or CV, prepare to explain those, too.
Prepare Your Own Questions
Don’t forget, you can (and should) ask questions during job interviews. If you’re not sure what to ask, be sure to review this list of How to Answer the Most Common Interview Questions (with Examples).
Final Thoughts on the Top Careers for Women in the United States
Are you ready to start applying for the top careers for women in the United States? Keep these guidelines in mind so you know where to apply and how to increase your chances of getting hired.
If you need more help finding job openings in your area, check out GrabJobs’ free job search tool today. We make it easier for you to find listings and apply in no time.
