10 interesting – and frustrating – facts about women in the workforce

In honor of International Women’s Day coming up on March 8, here’s 10 interesting (and, sometimes frustrating) facts about women in today’s workforce. Take a look!

Also, if you’re a female curious about career options outside of “the norm” … smile.  We’ve got an event coming up just for you! Our unique Jane of All Trades event is – you guessed it – March 8! You can come in and explore 12 higher-paying careers traditionally see as fields for men. Click here for all the details.  We hope to see you there!

1. Jobs in which men are traditionally employed typically pay 20 to 30 percent more than traditionally female jobs. – Wider Opportunities for Women
2. Male-dominated jobs pay an average median hourly wage of $17.35, while the traditionally female-held occupations pay just $13.85 hourly on average. This translates into a median annual salary of $36,085 for men and $28,805 for women – a yearly wage gap of $7,280. – Wider Opportunities for Women
3. A recent White House report from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, notes that “Women in STEM jobs earn 33% more than those in non-STEM occupations and experience a smaller wage gap relative to men.” – Learn How to Become
4. A 2010 research study by the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company found that operating profit was 56% high for corporations that had one or more women on its executive committee or board of directors. (Source: McKinsey & Company)
5. In 2008, four in 10 working mothers (single or otherwise) were the primary household breadwinner. – Forbes
6. Only 6.2 percent of employed women worked in nontraditional occupations in 2008.- US Congress
7. More than one-half of all working women are clustered in 25 of 504 job categories tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Excluding teachers and nurses, most of these categories are among the lowest-paid occupations.- US Congress
8. Women make up 94.7 percent of child care workers, whose hourly wage averages $10.15, but only 1.5 percent of electricians, who make an average hourly wage of $24.91. – US Congress. In addition, Women comprise 92.7 percent of receptionists and information clerks, whose hourly wage averages $12.63, but only 10.9 percent of surveying and mapping technicians who make an average hourly wage of $19.41. – US Congress
9. Girls comprise only 15 percent of students enrolled in high school courses leading to nontraditional occupations. This proportion has stayed relatively constant for the past 30 years. – US Congress
10. The National Association of Manufacturers estimates a need for 10 million new workers by 2020 due to the aging of the current workforce. Moreover, 90 percent of manufacturers are experiencing a shortage of qualified employees including machinists, operators, craft workers, distributors, and technicians. Women hold only 4.7 percent of welding, soldering, and brazing jobs. – US Congress