Women have secured nearly nine out of every 10 jobs created in the United States since President Trump's second inauguration in January 2025, a trend that has led to men being outnumbered in the labor market for only the third time in recorded history. This surge in female employment represents approximately 86% of the 468,000 payroll jobs added to the economy during this period.
This shift is largely attributed to significant growth in the healthcare and education sectors, industries traditionally dominated by women. According to data analyzed by economist Justin Wolfers, the mainly female category of employment added 828,000 jobs, while the mainly male category lost 218,000 jobs and the roughly equal group lost 142,000 jobs since the start of Trump's second term.
These new positions have predominantly appeared in private education and health services, sectors that were already over 75% female when the president began his second term. The overall non-farm payroll now shows more female employees than male workers, a stark contrast to 1970 when men held a nearly two-to-one ratio.
Economist Justin Wolfers noted that this labor market transformation reflects broader economic trends tied to increased productivity and wealth. As the U.S. has become a more productive and service-oriented economy, with advancements in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing requiring fewer workers, labor has shifted to service industries. These sectors, including healthcare, childcare, and education, are historically associated with women and are often referred to as the "pink-collar economy."
Wolfers highlighted a disconnect between historical perceptions of work and the current reality of the American job market. He pointed out that a similar pattern of increased productivity reducing labor needs is evident in modern manufacturing, where technology allows for greater output with fewer employees. As incomes rise, demand shifts toward services, which are less labor-intensive.
This phenomenon is often observed in wealthier, older nations where demand for services like healthcare and education grows. Wolfers suggested that if job growth for men is to match that for women, men may need to transition into the expanding industries that are currently seeing the most significant employment gains.