Women Now Hold More US Payroll Jobs Than Men, a Rare Shift
For only the third time in history, women hold more payroll jobs than men in the United States, a shift that could impact consumer spending and labor dynamics.
Women now account for more U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs than men, according to data cited by Business Insider. This marks only the third time on record that female employment has exceeded male employment, with the previous instances occurring briefly during the Great Recession and again just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crossover reflects longer-term structural changes in the labor market, including the growth of sectors like healthcare and education, where women are disproportionately represented, and a decline in male-dominated industries such as manufacturing.
If the trend persists, it could have broad macro implications. Higher female labor force participation may reshape household income patterns, consumer spending, and overall labor market dynamics. Economists are watching whether this shift represents a durable change or another temporary blip tied to economic cycles.
Source: First Squawk