Female Dominated Roles(BLS)
What professions are women dominating? Traditionally, women worked as teachers, nurses, and secretaries. While that partially remains true, women are now taking over other professions previously dominated by men as well. Curious which ones? Here's a list of the top 10 female-dominated occupations, according to the most recent data from the BLS:
1. Preschool and kindergarten teachers
Female workforce: 97.6 percent
Median pay: $29,780 (preschool) and $57,980 (kindergarten)
Requirements: Associate degree (preschool) and bachelor's degree (kindergarten)
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 7 percent (preschool) and 3 percent (kindergarten)
Early childhood educators play a pivotal role in caring for and educating kids. They typically work a 10-month school year (though some positions are year-round) and usually work in a public or private school or childcare center.
Job growth for preschool teachers is projected to increase by seven percent by 2028, which is faster than the average growth among all jobs. The BLS predicts this is due to the increasingly important role early childhood education and development plays in our society.
2. Dental hygienists
Female workforce: 97.1 percent
Median pay: $74,820
Requirements: Associate degree
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 11 percent
Getting your teeth cleaned? You're likely making an appointment with a dental hygienist. A dental hygienist provides patients with preventative care, examining the mouth for signs of oral disease in the process.
Dental hygiene programs typically take three years to complete, and hygienists must be licensed in the state in which they work. The job outlook for dental hygiene is positive due to the country's increased aging population and the growing amount of research pointing to the importance of good oral care.
3. Speech language pathologists
Female workforce: 96 percent
Median pay: $77,510
Requirements: Master's degree
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 27 percent
The projected job growth for speech language pathologists is the highest on this list — it is expected to grow at least 27 percent from 2018 to 2028. That's because speech pathologists not only work with kids who have difficulty communicating, but they also work with adults who might have speech or language impairments as a result of a stroke, dementia, and other health conditions.
Speech language pathologists typically need a master's degree and state license before they can start practicing.
4. Dental assistants
Female workforce: 96 percent
Median pay: $38,660
Requirements: Varies
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 11 percent
Besides pay, the biggest difference between dental assistants and dental hygienists is that dental assistants directly support dentists. They might handle office tasks, such as scheduling appointments; perform basic dental care, such as polishing a patient's teeth; or prep patients for various procedures.
The educational requirements to become a dental assistant are also less rigorous than that of a dental hygienist. Some states require assistants to graduate from an accredited program, while other states do not have any educational prerequisites at all. Instead, you would learn on the job.
5. Childcare workers
Female workforce: 94 percent
Median pay: $23,240
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 2 percent
Childcare workers work in a variety of settings, including daycare centers, a private household, and sometimes even their own homes. Duties include dressing, feeding, monitoring playtime, and overall caring for children. Typically, no formal education is required, but sometimes positions call for an early childhood education degree depending on the place of employment.
6. Secretaries and administrative assistants
Female workforce: 94 percent
Median pay: $38,880
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: -7 percent
Secretaries and administrative assistant jobs exist in nearly every industry, though you'll find the most positions in schools, hospitals, and government and legal offices. Typically, a high school diploma is required as well as several weeks of job training.
The general job growth for secretaries and administrative assistant positions isn't as promising as some of the other professions on this list. That could be due, in part, to the automation of these jobs. However, the BLS predicts there'll likely be an increased need for medical secretaries over the next 10 years as aging baby boomers start to require more medical attention.
7. Medical records & health information technicians
Female workforce: 93.6 percent
Median pay: $40,350
Requirements: Post-secondary certificate
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 11 percent
Medical records & health information technicians spend much of their time behind a computer. They organize, manage, and code patients' health records for insurance reimbursements, various databases and registries, and patient medical history records. Sometimes these jobs can be done remotely, and typically, a bachelor's degree isn't required for these positions.
Like other health-related professions on this list, the need for medical records & health information technicians is expected to grow as the country's baby-boomer population continues to age.
8. Dietitians and nutritionists
Female workforce: 93.1 percent
Median pay: $60,370
Requirements: Bachelor's degree
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 11 percent
Dietitians and nutritionists aim to help people eat better and live a healthy lifestyle. They can work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and nursing homes to cafeterias and state governments. They can also help clients prevent and treat common diseases, including diabetes.
Dietitians and nutritionists typically need a bachelor's degree in food and nutrition (or a related degree), and many go on to secure more advanced degrees as well.
9. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Female workforce: 92.1 percent
Median pay: $24,830
Requirements: Post-secondary certificate
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 8 percent
Women make up a large majority of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. Typically, these jobs are available in a barbershop or salon, but there's also an opportunity to offer these services in clients' homes. You can work for a larger company, or you can start your own business; there's a lot of flexibility in this field.
All states require these professionals to be licensed. This means you would need a degree from a state-approved barber or cosmetology program.
10. Medical assistants
Female workforce: 90.6 percent
Median pay: $33,610
Requirements: Post-secondary certificate
Job growth outlook from 2018 to 2028: 23 percent
This is the second-fastest-growing profession on the list, behind speech language pathology, also due to the aging baby-boomer population's need for increased medical services.
The difference between a medical assistant and a medical records & health information tech is that medical assistants typically work in a hospital, physician's office, or other healthcare facilities (versus in an office or from home, behind a computer). These positions typically do not require a formal degree and call for less specialized knowledge about coding and medical software programs. A medical assistant also likely works directly with patients, taking vital signs and giving immunizations. They may also complete paperwork and carry out standard office procedures.
In conclusion
Women continue to level out the workforce playing field and dominate specific professions compared to our male counterparts. It's exciting to imagine what the next decade will bring for women and to consider what women-dominated professions will make this list in 2030 and how the gender pay gap will continue to shrink.
https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/top-10-professions-dominated-by-women