The Top Jobs For Women In The United States

In 2022, the most common jobs held by women in the United States are sales representative, registered nurse, elementary school teacher, and administrative assistant, as of November 2017. Female employment rates have increased over time in most professions and occupations, with more women working in more roles than ever before. The following list provides information on the top jobs for women in the United States based on data compiled by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This BLS report was released on January 5, 2022.

Salesperson

Whether you’re dealing with consumers or companies, a sales position can be a great choice for women. Of course, selling comes with some downsides—you might have to work evenings and weekends, and if you don’t have strong self-motivation, it can be hard to push through when things get tough. However, that can be said of many jobs! Plus, salespeople often earn commissions (greater than hourly wages), which means they’re motivated to work hard even when they don’t feel like it. Finally, many sales positions require less education than other fields (like medicine or law). That may make it easier for women who want to enter a traditionally male-dominated field.

Secretary/Administrative Assistant

Secretaries and administrative assistants are likely to find employment in many fields, from business and education to law enforcement. If you enjoy working with others, are comfortable speaking on the phone, and know how to type at least 35 words per minute, secretarial work might be a good fit for you. Secretaries provide clerical support and assist others with their daily tasks. While they do not perform professional duties, secretaries may occasionally be asked to write letters or reports that require minimal research or interpretation. To become a secretary or administrative assistant, all you need is an associate’s degree—or experience—and sometimes certification requirements are satisfied by taking additional classes related to your duties.

Registered Nurse

As of 2014, there were more than 2.6 million registered nurses working in America. Registered nurses, who are also known as RNs or licensed practical nurses (LPNs), care for patients and administer nursing care. In some cases, RNs work under a doctor’s orders to treat patients and deliver other medical services. Because of their education, experience and licensing requirements, RNs are among the highest-paid workers in all industries; in fact, registered nurses typically earn over $60 per hour. Some of the more common positions for RNs include operating room technicians, nurse supervisors and home health aides.

Cashier

This is one of those jobs that you probably don’t think twice about – until you take a closer look. Think of it: while many jobs are desk-bound, cashiers spend all day on their feet. According to BLS data from 2016, some 43 percent of people in these roles stand for at least part of their shift and others frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds. Surprisingly, that may not be enough to put them at high risk for injury: your hips, knees and ankles carry all your weight when standing or walking. Working at a fast pace or constantly being on your feet also can increase stress levels, which may cause muscle strain and aggravate existing conditions like diabetes or arthritis.

Hotel clerk

According to a 2018 study by Glassdoor, there are approximately 269,000 hotel clerks employed in America. That number has grown by roughly 35% since 2014. According to Glassdoor's 10th Annual Hospitality Career & Education Report, the overall hospitality industry is expected to add 855,200 jobs over [the next] 10 years (inclusive of all positions). How many of those will be hotel clerks? Impossible to say with precision, but we can say that a career as a hotel clerk is one of America's largest and fastest-growing professions.

Flight Attendant

Travel is a huge part of American culture, and a job as a flight attendant can help you take advantage of it. Your typical day on duty may include delivering beverages and snacks to passengers, ensuring that they are buckled into their seats during takeoff and landing, monitoring in-flight safety procedures, handling customer service issues, or giving travelers directions to help them get around once they arrive at their destination. With an extensive knowledge of U.S. geography (most planes only go domestically), you’ll have no problem planning your next vacation using frequent flyer miles! To learn more about what it’s like to be a flight attendant, check out our Career Spotlight: Flight Attendant with American Airlines .

Retail salesperson

This job could be a fantastic opportunity for women looking to have flexible hours, as retail schedules tend to fluctuate with customer traffic. Many of these positions offer training and incentives, but more often than not, you're on your own. If you’re an outgoing person with some sales experience (and just about anyone can get retail sales experience), then it might be a great fit for you. Keep in mind that opening and closing times vary by business and shift—you may need to show up at 6:30am one day and work until midnight another day. To apply, you'll likely want any relevant retail experience; some companies require a bachelor's degree in marketing or business management while others want 2-3 years' worth of industry experience.

Cashiers and Counter Clerks

1,246,890 positions. While they don’t require a bachelor’s degree or specific vocational training, cashiers and counter clerks are a major employer of women in both full-time and part-time roles. A common entry point into retail jobs for women, you don’t have to be a math whiz to work in sales. Employers like these jobs because they are typically low cost and high turnover (not hard to find people who can count change), meaning there is lots of opportunity for advancement within these businesses. If you are looking for one of the highest paying blue collar jobs for women, then it might be worth considering becoming an armored car driver.

First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers (combined with child care workers, teachers aides, customer service representatives, maids and housekeeping cleaners, shampooers, counter attendants (dining room), waiters/waitresses, hairdressers and cosmetologists, childcare workers and miscellaneous personal appearance workers (includes manicurists and pedicurists))

These workers supervise and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in providing personal services, such as clerical work, auto and furniture repair, cleaning or housekeeping services. Work includes designating work schedules; instructing, training and directing workers; appraising productivity and accomplishments; planning work to be done; recording progress of work; adjusting methods to deal with changes in conditions; calling on specialists for consultation. They also may inspect supplies and materials to determine if they are adequate. They have advanced knowledge of techniques used in their area of specialization and have comprehensive knowledge of related subjects.

Registered nurse practitioner

A registered nurse practitioner (RNP) is a registered nurse with additional education and training to work autonomously in direct patient care. RNPs have advanced training to perform certain health care tasks, such as diagnosing and treating acute illness, performing more complex procedures under anesthesia, ordering medical imaging tests and interpreting test results, and providing advice regarding lifestyle modifications. RNs can become an RNP by completing an RNP program; only some states allow nurses with a bachelor's degree or higher to practice without completing an RNP program. Employment of RNPs is projected to grow 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than average for all occupations. A growing aging population and increased focus on preventive care will continue to drive demand for physician assistants and nurse practitioners over time.