Women accounted for 98 percent of the net job gains in the United States in August, adding 158,000 jobs to the economy while men gained 4,000. This marks a significant increase for female employment, following a trend where women overtook men in total payroll employment earlier in the year.
Economists attribute this surge not to a sudden dramatic shift in the workforce but rather to seasonal hiring patterns and the strong performance of sectors with a high proportion of female workers. Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, described the month-to-month gender breakdown as "noisy," cautioning against overemphasizing single-month figures. The 98 percent figure represents net employment gains, which account for both job gains and losses.
Two major sectors significantly influenced August's numbers: education and food services. Local government education added 42,000 jobs, and food service and drinking places added 59,000. Together, these sectors accounted for 62 percent of all jobs created in August.
Healthcare, a consistent engine of job creation for over a year, also contributes significantly, as women constitute a large majority of its workforce. The leisure and hospitality sector saw women gain approximately 68,000 jobs in August, even as the sector's total gains were 62,000, indicating a decrease in male employment within that industry.
When comparing August to the previous year, the number of employed women has risen by over 870,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis, while the number of employed men has decreased by nearly 1.5 million. This shift has led to women surpassing men in total payroll employment for the third time in U.S. history. Unlike previous instances during the Great Recession and just before the pandemic, economists suggest this latest change might indicate a more structural economic shift.
Female-dominated industries such as healthcare and hospitality have continued to expand, while some traditionally male-heavy sectors, including manufacturing, have faced challenges. Additionally, women are earning more college degrees than men, potentially positioning them for greater benefit in professional industry growth.
However, the overall picture for women is not uniformly positive. Experts note that the outperformance in employment growth might partly reflect the types of jobs becoming available. Women are more likely to work in lower-paying occupations and may hold multiple jobs, meaning some employment growth could represent individuals taking on additional work rather than securing higher-paying careers. Men, meanwhile, are increasingly concentrated in sectors facing economic pressures, such as manufacturing and construction.
