Women-Dominated Careers Where Men Still Earn Higher Salaries
- Women generally get paid less than men, no matter their field.
- They also tend to make less money, even in careers where they outnumber male workers.
- Many women in women-dominated careers have lower salaries than men doing the same job.
The gender wage gap is full of head-scratcher statistics. For example, did you know men working in lactation education often make more than women?
Even though 8 out of 10 lactation educators identify as women, men still make about 1% more per year, according to Zippia. For obvious reasons, you’d think women might have an advantage in this field, but it’s not the case.
While there are some jobs where women make more than men, most women still earn less than men. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, on average, a woman earns $0.83 for every $1.00 a man earns.
| Career | Pay gap per year | Percent of women in the workforce |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Urology | -$42,455 | 69.5% |
| 2. Nutritionist | -$10,278 | 84.2% |
| 3. Dental Hygienist | -$5,512 | 93.1% |
Why does this matter? Women who earn lower pay will have lower lifetime earnings and less overall wealth by the time they retire.
Women even earn less money in careers where they outnumber men — sometimes a lot less.
We did a deep dive to find 10 more women-dominated careers where men still earn higher salaries.
Women-Dominated Careers Where Men Earn Higher Salaries
1. Dental Hygienist
Women Workers: 93.1%- Common Degree: Associate
- Median Salary: $120,090 (men) vs. $114,570 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$5,512 per year
2. Speech Language Pathologist
- Women Workers: 91.1%
- Common Degree: Bachelor’s
- Median Salary: $74,340 (men) vs. $69,800 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$4,544 per year
3. Nutritionist
- Women Workers: 84.2%
- Common Degree: Bachelor’s
- Median Salary: $60,730 (men) vs. $50,460 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$10,278 per year
4. Social Services Manager
- Women Workers: 79.4%
- Common Degree: Associate
- Median Salary: $67,030 (men) vs. $65,300 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$1,730 per year
5. Optician
- Women Workers: 77.8%
- Common Degree: Bachelor’s
- Median Salary: $36,690 (men) vs. $32,880 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$3,808 per year
6. Special Education Teachers
- Women Workers: 75.4%
- Common Degree: Bachelor’s
- Median Salary: $54,210 (men) vs. $52,530 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$1,683 per year
7. Chronic Disease Epidemiologist
- Women Workers: 75.4%
- Common Degree: Bachelor’s
- Median Salary: $78,640 (men) vs. $5 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$1,526 per year
8. Healthcare Administrator
- Women Workers: 75%
- Common Degree: Bachelor’s
- Median Salary: $77,920 (men) vs. $76,460 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$1,464 per year
9. Human Resources Manager
- Women Workers: 70.3%
- Common Degree: Bachelor’s
- Median Salary: $83,620 (men) vs. $78,760 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$4,864 per year
10. Urologist
- Women Workers: 69.5%
- Common Degree: Doctorate
- Median Salary: $274,430 (men) vs. $231,970 (women)
- Pay Gap: -$42,455 per year
Source: All salary data is cited from Zippia statistics for 2021.
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