In today’s world, women have more opportunities than ever to pursue meaningful and rewarding careers. Even in 2025, pay gaps and underrepresentation in certain industries remain a reality for women. However, the pay gaps are closing and women are becoming more represented in just about every field. From technology to healthcare and entrepreneurship to the arts, there are plenty of options and potential for growth. Below, we’ve listed some of the best careers for women in 2025.
Best Careers for Women
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There are plenty of careers that are rewarding, high-paying, and women-dominated. Here are some of the highest paying and female-dominated fields in 2025, according to ResumeGenius and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), using data from 2022. We’ve also included insights into the estimated job growth between 2022 and 2032.
1. NURSE ANESTHETIST
- Median salary: $212,000
- Projected job growth: 2.4%
- Education required: Master’s
- Proportion of women: 55%
Nurse anesthetists are responsible for administering anesthesia to patients during surgery or other procedures. They’ll also record and monitor the individual’s vital signs before, during, and after the surgery.
2. PHARMACIST
- Median salary: $136,000
- Projected job growth: 0.6%
- Education required: Doctorate
- Proportion of women: 57%
Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by doctors and health practitioners. They can help their customers understand their prescriptions and answer questions about dosages, side effects, and more. They often also assist with over-the-counter recommendations.
3. NURSE PRACTITIONER
- Median salary: $126,000
- Projected job growth: 8.9%
- Education required: Master’s
- Proportion of women: 87%
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a graduate degree. They often work alongside doctors and can diagnose and treat diseases and illnesses, perform exams, prescribe medications, give healthcare advice, and order diagnostic tests.
4. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
- Median salary: $130,000
- Projected job growth: 5%
- Education required: Master’s
- Proportion of women: 64%
A Physician assistant, or PA, works closely with doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare providers to diagnose, treat, and care for patients. They conduct patient exams, assess symptoms, educate patients, diagnose conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans.
5. VETERINARIAN
- Median salary: $119,000
- Projected job growth: 5.8%
- Education required: Doctorate
- Proportion of women: 63%
Veterinarians are doctors for animals. They diagnose and treat illnesses, diseases, and injuries, administer vaccines, advise on preventative care, and perform surgery. Some opt to specialize in specific areas, such as large animals, zoos, or horses.
6. STATISTICIAN
- Median salary: $104,000
- Projected job growth: 4.8%
- Education required: Bachelor’s or Master’s
- Proportion of women: 52%
Statisticians apply mathematical theories and techniques to analyze and interpret data. They then provide useful information based on their findings. Statisticians can be found in various industries, from sports to environmental science, depending on their specialization.
7. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
- Median salary: $136,000
- Projected job growth: 0.7%
- Education required: Bachelor’s
- Proportion of women: 75%
Human resources (HR) managers oversee and manage a business or organization’s workforce. They’ll make sure that handbooks and procedures are aligned with the company’s goals, hire employees, design training, and handle employee relations.
8. MARKETING MANAGER
- Median salary: $157,000
- Projected job growth: 0.7%
- Education required: Bachelor’s
- Proportion of women: 61%
Marketing managers design, direct, and/or coordinate marketing policies, plans, and programs based on the company or organization’s needs. They work to promote services and/or products, increase brand awareness, and conduct market research.
9. PHYSICAL THERAPIST
- Median salary: $99,000
- Projected job growth: 3.4%
- Education required: Doctorate or professional degree
- Proportion of women: 58%
Physical therapists, also known as PTs, work with patients to improve their movement and manage pain after surgery or an injury. They also help patients who are dealing with chronic conditions that affect mobility and quality of life. PTs can also assess patients, develop treatment plans, and provide education.
10. MEDICAL SCIENTIST
- Median salary: $100,000
- Projected job growth: 2.3%
- Education required: Doctorate or professional degree
- Proportion of women: 57%
Medical scientists conduct studies to improve the understanding of human health, develop new treatments, design medical technologies, and discover new health condition prevention and management techniques. They’ll conduct clinical trials, analyze data, publish findings, and collaborate with other professionals.
More High-Paying Careers for Women
It’s not just female-dominated fields that should be on your radar. These additional positions have the some of the highest median earnings among women, according to the U.S. DOL.
11. Surgeon
- Median salary: More than $239,120
- Projected job growth: 4.1%
- Education required: Doctorate
Surgeons use surgical techniques to diagnose, treat, and manage medical conditions. They may perform general surgeries or specialize in specific areas, such as the nervous system or heart. Two additional examples include oral and maxillofacial surgeons and pediatric surgeons.
12. ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING MANAGER
- Median salary: $165,000
- Projected job growth: 4.1%
- Education required: Bachelor’s
Architectural and engineering managers oversee architects, engineers, and any other professionals involved in projects. They’ll participate in planning, designing, developing, and constructing buildings, while also setting project timelines, developing milestones, and leading the team.
13. DENTIST
- Median salary: $166,000
- Projected job growth: 4.4%
- Education required: Doctorate
Dentists specialize in oral care, including the mouth, teeth, and gums. They’re able to diagnose and treat dental issues and provide preventative care and advice. Some of their common tasks are filings, root canals, wisdom teeth removal, and teeth whitening.
14. CHIEF EXECUTIVE
- Median salary: $206,000
- Projected job growth: -8.2%. Women pursing a career as a CEO should focus their search in higher growth areas like Washington (+14.2% projected growth), Texas (+3% projected growth), Florida (+3.6% projected growth), and Tennessee (+3.8% projected growth)
- Education required: Bachelor’s
Chief executives, also known as chief executive officers or CEOs, lead an organization or business. They’re responsible for all of the operations within that company, including setting the vision of the business, making decisions based on data, managing the executive team, and crafting long-term goals.
15. CHEMICAL ENGINEER
- Median salary: $112,000
- Projected job growth: 8.2%
- Education required: Bachelor’s
Using chemistry, physics, math, and biology, chemical engineers solve problems related to chemicals, energy, and other materials. They may work with medicine, food, fuels, or another good. In their day-to-day, they’ll design processes to provide goods, research new technologies related to their work, and optimize systems for safety, sustainability, and cost.
16. LAWYER
- Median salary: $145,000
- Projected job growth: 7.6%
- Education required: Doctorate
Lawyers can specialize in everything from family to criminal law and fashion to prosecution. They can help individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations navigate legal challenges, resolve disputes, and protect rights. They provide advice, represent clients in courts, and draft legal documents, such as contracts, wills, cease and desists, and more.
17. ACTUARY
- Median salary: $120,000
- Projected job growth: 23%
- Education required: Bachelor’s
You’ll often find actuaries in insurance and investment companies, where they conduct risk assessments. In insurance, they’ll help with policy pricing. In investment businesses, actuaries work with retirement funds and other plans to provide financial models and advice.
18. ECONOMIST
- Median salary: $115,000
- Projected job growth: 6.3%
- Education required: Master’s or Doctorate
An economist studies and analyzes the production and distribution of goods and services using data, models, and theories. They’ll conduct research to understand the latest trends and patterns, provide forecasts and models based on that research, and offer policy advice to businesses, agencies, and other organizations.
19. SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
- Median salary: $132,000
- Projected job growth: 25.7%
- Education required: Bachelor’s
Software developers work with code to design and maintain applications and systems for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. Some projects might include web applications, games, mobile apps, and desktop software. They’re also often responsible for debugging and troubleshooting programs.
20. COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER
- Median salary: $169,000
- Projected job growth: 15.4%
- Education required: Bachelor’s
Also known as IT managers and IT directors, computer and information systems managers oversee the information technology team within an organization. With their team, they’ll make sure the computer system, services, network, hardware, software, databases, and any other tech resources are working as they should.
Tips for Success
Breaking into a new field can be scary and exciting, but also stressful. To find success in your chosen career path, follow these tips:
- Know your strengths. Before you even go to college or choose a career path, understand what interests you. What are your passions? Strengths? Weaknesses? Goals? These are major considerations when it’s time to pick a career.
- Grow your network. A network can be invaluable when it comes to finding a new job, potentially opening the door to a brand new opportunity. You can find networking opportunities in every industry, online and off. If possible, work with a mentor who can provide guidance, support, and advice now and into the future.
- Set goals. Craft short and long-term goals for yourself. Where are you and where do you want to go? Make sure they’re S.M.A.R.T! You’re more likely to meet targets that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
- Embrace work-life balance. No matter your industry, work-life balance is essential to maintain your health and well being. Think about your needs, values, lifestyle, and goals before choosing a career. Do you work well in a high paced environment? Or do you need a flexible position?
- Keep advancing your skills. Advancing your abilities shouldn’t end when you graduate college. Continually develop your skills to stay competitive and advance within your field. Considering pursuing certifications, courses, and conferences. You can also work on your leadership, problem-solving, and communication.
- Advocate for yourself. Negotiating your salary, benefits, and other conditions of your employment can be overwhelming, but staying confident and being proactive can open the door to advancement and higher pay.
- Be supportive. Create an inclusive and supportive environment for the other women in your workplace. Champion successes, build networks, and advocate for equality.
Find the Best Career for the Woman You Are
Many of the women-dominated careers are in healthcare and business, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider a career in STEM or another industry that interests you. When choosing an occupation, it’s important to consider your interests, strengths, and goals in and out of the workplace.
Do you want to learn more about these careers for women and explore other lines of work? Our Career Finder makes it easy to discover jobs, median salaries, expected job growth, and the top schools to apply to to achieve your goals. It’s completely free!
