It’s a sad truth that women have long faced gender discrimination in the workplace, being discouraged from pursuing some professions, finding the path to significant promotion blocked (the notorious “glass ceiling”), and getting paid less than men for equal work. (Women are in the majority in 17 of the 25 lowest paying jobs in America.)
At the same time, women have undeniably made great inroads in some fields, and have taken top posts in an increasing number of companies. Last year, in fact, saw the highest-ever percentage of women in CEO positions in America.
There are also fields in which women dominate. Education and what are sometimes labeled the “caring professions” (like nursing and social work) stand out. In the most striking example, fully 99.8% of preschool and kindergarten teachers are women. (These states pay their teachers the least.)
Click here to see 28 popular jobs that are held mostly by women.
To assemble a list of popular jobs that are held almost exclusively by women, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey. Miscellaneous occupations and jobs with fewer than 2,000 female workers were not considered.
In fields where women remain underrepresented, there may be factors other than gender discrimination at play. Some areas of endeavor offer more flexibility and better work-life balance than others, and some may offer more career satisfaction. Helping a child with a speech disorder may be more rewarding than digging a hole in the ground, whether you’re a man or a woman.
Bear in mind, too, that some held mostly by women, such as registered nurse, are highly skilled and well paid.
24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list of popular jobs in which women comprise well over 80% of the workforce.
Source: demaerre / iStock via Getty Images
28. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 84.4%
> Total full-time workforce: 629,000 (531,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $26,156
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Source: LL28 / Getty Images
27. Nurse practitioners
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 84.8%
> Total full-time workforce: 171,000 (145,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $97,344
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Source: fizkes / Getty Images
26. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 85.8%
> Total full-time workforce: 741,000 (636,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $42,848
Source: smolaw11 / iStock via Getty Images
25. Paralegals and legal assistants
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 86.0%
> Total full-time workforce: 343,000 (295,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $48,984
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Source: AndreyPopov / Getty Images
24. Payroll and timekeeping clerks
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 86.0%
> Total full-time workforce: 129,000 (111,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $49,140
Source: navymedicine / Flickr
23. Registered nurses
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 86.5%
> Total full-time workforce: 2,701,000 (2,337,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $65,624
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Source: NoSystem images / E+ via Getty Images
22. Healthcare social workers
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 87.1%
> Total full-time workforce: 70,000 (61,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $59,904
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Source: BenAkiba / iStock via Getty Images
21. Receptionists and information clerks
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 87.2%
> Total full-time workforce: 846,000 (738,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $33,384
Source: gemenacom / iStock via Getty Images
20. Hairdressers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 87.8%
> Total full-time workforce: 205,000 (180,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $31,512
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Source: sturti / E+ via Getty Images
19. Child, family, and school social workers
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 87.9%
> Total full-time workforce: 58,000 (51,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $46,488
Source: FG Trade / E+ via Getty Images
18. Nursing assistants
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 88.1%
> Total full-time workforce: 966,000 (851,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $30,940
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Source: ljubaphoto / E+ via Getty Images
17. Occupational therapists
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 88.5%
> Total full-time workforce: 96,000 (85,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $71,396
Source: Wavebreakmedia Ltd / Wavebreak Media via Getty Images
16. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 89.0%
> Total full-time workforce: 500,000 (445,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $45,500
Source: SbytovaMN / Getty Images
15. Veterinary technologists and technicians
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 89.0%
> Total full-time workforce: 73,000 (65,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $34,060
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Source: andresr / Getty Images
14. Court, municipal, and license clerks
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 89.0%
> Total full-time workforce: 73,000 (65,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $40,404
Source: MaxRiesgo / Getty Images
13. Billing and posting clerks
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 89.4%
> Total full-time workforce: 379,000 (339,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $38,948
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Source: dragana991 / iStock via Getty Images
12. Medical assistants
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 90.4%
> Total full-time workforce: 450,000 (407,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $35,100
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Source: jacoblund / Getty Images
11. Home health aides
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 91.3%
> Total full-time workforce: 310,000 (283,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $28,548
Source: AntonioGuillem / Getty Images
10. Dental hygienists
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 92.7%
> Total full-time workforce: 96,000 (89,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $58,500
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Source: BreatheFitness / iStock via Getty Images
9. Dietitians and nutritionists
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 92.8%
> Total full-time workforce: 83,000 (77,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $52,468
Source: DragonImages / iStock via Getty Images
8. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 92.9%
> Total full-time workforce: 170,000 (158,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $51,532
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Source: FG Trade / Getty Images
7. Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 93.1%
> Total full-time workforce: 1,607,000 (1,496,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $40,612
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Source: SDI Productions / E+ via Getty Images
6. Childcare workers
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 93.5%
> Total full-time workforce: 383,000 (358,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $27,924
Source: bojanstory / E+ via Getty Images
5. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 93.7%
> Total full-time workforce: 63,000 (59,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $41,808
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Source: FatCamera / Getty Images
4. Speech-language pathologists
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 94.1%
> Total full-time workforce: 152,000 (143,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $67,444
Source: IPGGutenbergUKLtd / iStock via Getty Images
3. Dental assistants
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 94.6%
> Total full-time workforce: 204,000 (193,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $34,372
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Source: BrianAJackson / iStock via Getty Images
2. Medical records specialists
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 97.6%
> Total full-time workforce: 166,000 (162,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $46,176
Source: Lordn / iStock via Getty Images
1. Preschool and kindergarten teachers
> Pct. of workforce that is female: 99.8%
> Total full-time workforce: 412,000 (411,000 female workers)
> Median annual earnings for full-time workers: $37,492
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