While women are the primary caretakers in the home, they are also increasingly becoming the primary breadwinners. Today, we will look at the high paid jobs for women in the United States. These are the best careers for women in terms of salary and job satisfaction.
The employment rate for American women peaked in 2000 when it nearly reached 58%. In recent times, the percentage has lowered to around 51%. However, COVID – 19 mainly attributed to the decline, which harmed the economy and employment rates.
When it comes to earnings, women still make less money than men do. According to Pew Research, women in the United States earn about 84% of what men earn for the same work. But there are increasing intentions to close the gender pay gap.
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The Gender Payment Gap Explained
Even though women are underrepresented in some of the best-paying careers, the glass ceiling is much more fragile than it used to be. Women are now outpacing men when it comes to higher education levels.
During the 20th century, women worked low-paying jobs that could only supplement a husband’s income. Today, that’s no longer the case; women are now the primary or co-breadwinners in nearly two-thirds of American households.
So, why do women still make less money than men? It’s a complex issue with many factors at play. One significant factor is the selection of college majors, and female students often opt for majors that lead to careers with lower average salaries than their male counterparts.
For example, women are more likely to study education, psychology, literature, and art history. Conversely, men are more likely to study engineering, computer science, and business.
Another big reason for the pay discrepancy is that females are more willing to earn less in exchange for flexibility and better working conditions. That’s not to say that women don’t want to be paid fairly, but they’re often willing to balance a higher salary job and manage household activities.
There’s also the issue of gender discrimination. Studies have shown that women are less likely to be hired for high-level positions and are often offered lower salaries than their male counterparts.
How Educational Choices Drive Earnings
As we mentioned before, choosing a college major can significantly impact earnings. But it’s not just what you study – it’s also where you learn that can make a difference.
For example, women who attend Ivy League schools are more likely to end up in high-paying jobs than women who attend state schools. That’s because Ivy League schools have a better reputation and often lead to higher-level positions.
But it’s not all about picking a prestigious school – it’s also about choosing a major in demand. For example, women who study engineering or computer science are more likely to find high-paying jobs than women who study education or psychology.
Over time, more and more women are choosing majors that lead to high-paying careers. For example, women born in 1950 are 25% less likely to pursue degrees in fields that are in the top 10% of earnings. Compared to women born in 1985, just 6% are less likely to follow these high-earning majors.
However, there’s still a long way to go. Women are still underrepresented in many of the highest-paying careers. But we’re here to help you change that.
The Future of Jobs in the Era of AI From BCG
Boston Consulting Group listed the Top 10 most needed Jobs for 2030 by considering the impact of the pandemic on GDP growth as below.
The Best Jobs for 2022 According to Glassdoor
Fast forward to 2022, Glassdoor has listed the best 50 jobs in America based on the balance between salary, job openings, job satisfaction, and work-from-home possibilities. Software/IT-related jobs such as Enterprise Architect, Full Stack Engineer, and Data Scientist are the top 3 jobs in America. Of the 10 best jobs, 8 of them are in tech.
There are also arising opportunities in healthcare. For example, Psychiatrists (#22) and psychologists (#34) made the Best Jobs list for the first time amidst an ongoing pandemic that has disrupted the workplace, leading many workers to experience burnout. Four healthcare roles are featured this year, showing the opportunities that remain in healthcare right now.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs for Women
The following jobs offer high wages, flexibility, and good working conditions. So, if you’re looking for a career change, one of these might be the perfect fit.
Computer and IT occupations
Suppose you happen to be a tech woman, congratulations! These are the best jobs if you are good at them. You can work in tech-related companies such as Google or Facebook or enterprise in the IT department. The detailed work functions are as above.
Healthcare occupations
10. Psychologists (including school psychologists and sociologists)
Median Annual Salary: $81,040 per year
Entry-Level Education: Education specialist degree
Work Experience Needed: N/A
Percentage of Females in the Field: 85%
Psychologists study human behavior and mental processes and use their findings to help people with mental and emotional disorders.
They typically need a doctorate to practice, although some jobs may only require a master’s degree. The good news is that all that education pays off – the median salary for psychologists is more than $81,000 per year.
Why Consider This Job?
Psychology attracts women partially because they’re more empathetic than their male counterparts and better understand emotions. Observing non-verbal cues is also an essential skill for psychologists, which is another trait women tend to excel at.
9. Occupational therapists
Median Annual Salary: $85,570 per year
Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Needed: N/A
Percentage of Females in the Field: 83%
Occupational therapists help people with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities regain independence and improve their quality of life. They work with patients of all ages, from young children to seniors.
A lot of satisfaction comes with helping people overcome challenges and achieve their goals. And the pay is pretty good, too – the median salary for occupational therapists is nearly $86,000 per year.
Why Consider This Job?
Women are drawn to this career because it allows them to help others while having a good work-life balance. Occupational therapists typically work standard office hours, although they may need to work evenings or weekends to meet with patients.
Most occupational therapists have a master’s degree, although some jobs may require a doctorate.
Health related articles:
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8. Physician assistants
Median Annual Salary: $121,530 per year
Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
Work Experience Needed: N/A
Percentage of Females in the Field: 72%
We all know what a physician is, but what exactly is a physician assistant? Physician assistants are healthcare professionals who provide care to patients under the supervision of a licensed physician.
They examine patients, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe medication. They also provide education and counseling to patients and their families. Essentially, it’s a physician without the actual MD.
Why Consider This Job?
If you’re thinking about changing jobs and don’t have enough time to go through medical school, this might be the perfect career. You can still significantly impact people’s lives and make an excellent salary.
Most physician assistants have a master’s degree, although some jobs may require a doctorate. The median salary for physician assistants is around $121.000 per year.
7. Nurse practitioners
Median Annual Salary: $123,780 per year
Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
Work Experience Needed: N/A
Percentage of Females in the Field: 87%
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have gone on to get a master’s or doctorate. They provide primary and specialty healthcare services to patients.
They often collaborate with physicians, but they can also prescribe medication and order diagnostic tests.
The duties of a nurse practitioner vary depending on the state in which they practice. But generally, they care for patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Why Consider This Job?
This is a career perfect for women who want to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s also a great career choice for women interested in healthcare but who don’t like to attend medical school.
Nurse practitioners typically need a master’s or doctorate and a state-issued license. What many aren’t aware of is that the job is so well-paid. The median salary for nurse practitioners is more than $123,000 per year.
6. Pharmacists
Median Annual Salary: $128,570 per year
Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Work Experience Needed: N/A
Percentage of Females in the Field: 55%
In the third spot on the list, we have a family-friendly field: pharmacy. Pharmacists dispense medication to patients and provide them with information about their medication.
They advise physicians and other healthcare professionals on medication selection, dosage, and side effects. In some cases, they may even conduct research on new medications.
Why Consider This Job?
Do you want to work in STEM, help people in need, and raise a family simultaneously? Then it would help if you considered a career in pharmacy.
Pharmacists typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a state-issued license. The median salary for pharmacists is more than $128,000 per year, and if you open your pharmacy, the sky’s the limit.
5. Physicians/surgeons
Median Annual Salary: $208,000 per year
Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Work Experience Needed: N/A
Percentage of Females in the Field: 36%
No list of highest-paying jobs would be complete without physicians and surgeons. Physicians are medical doctors who diagnose and treat patients. They may specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or cardiology.
Surgeons are physicians who perform operations on patients. They may also specialize in a particular type of surgery, such as cerebral or orthopedic surgery.
Why Consider This Job?
Do you like science and you enjoy helping others? A career as a physician or surgeon could be perfect for you. But it’s also important to remember that this demanding career requires many years of education and training.
Physicians and surgeons typically need a bachelor’s degree and a medical one, which takes four years to complete. They must also complete a residency, which takes an additional three to eight years.
The median salary for physicians and surgeons is at least $208,000 annually.
4. Veterinarians
Median Annual Salary: $100,370 per year
Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Work Experience Needed: N/A
Percentage of Females in the Field: 63%
Men once dominated the veterinary field, but that’s no longer the case. More than 75% of veterinarians are now women.
So what exactly does a veterinarian do? They are medical doctors who diagnose and treat diseases in animals. They may also provide preventive care and educate pet owners on how to take care of their animals.
Why Consider This Job?
If you love animals and are looking for a rewarding career, you should consider becoming a veterinarian. But remember that this demanding career requires at least eight years of education and training.
Veterinarians typically need a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which takes four years to complete. They must also complete a one-year internship and a three-year residency. The median salary for veterinarians is more than $100,000 per year. We listed the most popular pets in the US. If you like pet, that is a super job for you!
Pet related articles:
- Top 8 Most Popular Pets In US 2022 (Suitable For Kids)
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- Things to Consider before your Family First Pet
- How Much Time a Pet Can be Alone?
- 7 Best Pets For Kids (Easy To Care)
- 10 Reasons for Kids to Have Pet
Business Occupation
3. Management analysts
Median Annual Salary: $93,000 per year
Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Needed: Less than 5 years
Percentage of Females in the Field: 53%
Management analysts help organizations run more efficiently and effectively. They develop plans, recommend changes, and help implement those changes. In short, they make things run smoother.
Management analysts perform some duties of analyzing and reviewing reports and interviewing employees. Therefore, they typically need a bachelor’s degree, although some jobs may require a master’s degree.
Why Consider This Job?
Thinking critically and having emotional intelligence are two qualities that are essential for success in this field.
This career is perfect for women who are good at problem-solving and have strong analytical skills. The median pay is roughly $93,000, and top experts are known for making well over $100,000.
2. PR and fundraising managers
Median Annual Salary: $119,860 per year
Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Needed: 5 years or more
Percentage of Females in the Field: 65%
Females started entering the PR/fundraising world a long time ago. During the second world war, women staged media events and wrote press releases to promote the war effort. But, of course, today’s PR and fundraising managers do much more than promote the latest war effort.
They’re responsible for creating and executing campaigns that raise money and awareness for their organizations. And they’re good at it. The yearly salary for this occupation is nearly $120,000. The best thing about it? As your experience and skills grow, so does your compensation.
Why Consider This Job?
Why are women seen as such a good fit for the job? Well, first of all, women are natural communicators. They’re also good at multitasking and have a lot of patience – two qualities that are essential for success in PR and fundraising.
PR and fundraising managers typically need a bachelor’s degree.
1. HR managers
Median Annual Salary: $126,230 per year
Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Needed: 5 years or more
Percentage of Females in the Field: 67%
The human resources department – the fear and loathing of any lazy employee. But it’s an essential part of any organization, and someone has to run it.
In smaller organizations, the HR manager might wear many hats. But in larger organizations, HR managers might specialize in a specific area, such as benefits or recruiting.
Regardless of their focus, their ultimate goal is to ensure that the company’s employees are happy and productive.
Why Consider This Job?
Women are often drawn to this career because they’re good at judging personality traits and matching them with employee roles. They also need to be well-versed in the latest HR laws and regulations.
HR managers typically need a bachelor’s degree, although some jobs may require a master’s degree. The median salary for HR managers is more than $126,000 per year. And there are often opportunities for advancement, which can lead to an even higher salary.
Final Thoughts from Pragmatic Lifestyle
There you have it: the top 10 highest-paying jobs for women in 2022. As you can see, there are plenty of great career options for women, regardless of their educational background or interests.
So if you’re looking for a new career, keep these jobs in mind. With the proper education and training, you could be well on your way to a high-paying career in no time!
About me
Hi, there. I am Lin. Together with my husband and two kids, we live in the beautiful Netherlands in Europe. I am dedicated to self-development, creating quality time for the whole family, and fully supporting kids with their potentials and possibilities with all I have learned from engineering, MBA, and 10+ years of working experience in the energy sector.
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