Worst States for Women

Male workers in Delaware have higher median annual earnings than male workers in most other states, but the median earnings for female workers ranks 27th out of 50 states. Delaware has the 10th largest gender wage gap, as female workers make less than 78% of what male workers do.

Delaware women tend to have slightly worse health outcomes than the typical American woman. The state’s female life expectancy at birth is 80.6 years, well short of the 81.2 year female life expectancy nationwide. Delaware also has the 15th highest infant mortality rate in the country, at 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. Nationwide, the rate is 5.6 per 1,000 live births.

Female workers in Montana earn just 80.7% of what male workers do, one of the larger gender wage gaps among all states. State female workers have a median annual earnings of just over $40,000, one of the 10 lowest median incomes among states.

Montana is one of just six states with no state preschool program. State-funded early education programs help working females stay in the workforce by providing child care. Not having one of these programs can keep women from the workforce as child care costs can be a strain on families, particularly for single-parent households.

Women in Georgia have among the worst health outcomes and the most significant economic challenges in the country. Georgia is one of just 13 states in which the female life expectancy at birth is under 80 years. Just 87.7% of women are insured, the fourth-lowest rate in the country. Female workers in Georgia have a median annual earnings over $5,000 less than the U.S. median, and the state’s gender wage gap is the 11th largest.

However, Georgia women do occupy a relatively high share of leadership positions within the state. Women hold 32.6% of state legislative seats, 2 percentage points higher than the average nationwide. Also, 42.5% of management jobs are held by women, the 15th highest share among all states.

Kentucky has the third-lowest median annual earnings for female workers, at $38,324. This is $8,000 less than the median for all U.S. women. The state also has one of the largest gaps between male and female earnings, at 76.8%.

A college education is a good way to increase earning potential, but women in Kentucky are relatively unlikely to hold a degree. Just 26.4% of Kentucky women 25 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree, the fourth-lowest share among all states. Nationwide, 33.9% of women that age hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

Ohio is one of a dozen states in which fewer than 30% of women 25 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree. College degrees can help boost earning potential, and female workers in Ohio have a median annual earnings of $44,824 – about $1,500 less than the U.S. median for all female workers.

Ohio women have the 12th lowest life expectancy at birth among states, at 79.3 years. The state is also one of just 16 states that do not offer paid sick leave, paid family leave, or expanded eligibility for family planning services coverage under Medicaid.