Highest Paying Jobs for Women in the US in 2026
Healthcare remains the strongest field for women chasing high earnings--nurse practitioners are 89.8% female, and women hold 61.4% of marketing management roles per BLS data cited in Nexford University. Tech management offers 46,900 annual openings through 2032 (BLS via Nexford University), while marketing managers see 12% growth with 9,600 openings yearly. Many of these roles demand advanced degrees to reach six figures, so this guide might not fit if you lack relevant education or prefer paths that skip formal degrees.
Top 10 Lucrative Careers for Women with Strong Female Representation
Women excel in fields where high demand, solid growth, and representation align. Ranked using BLS and industry data:
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Nurse Practitioner: 89.8% women, 38% growth (BLS 2023-2032, bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm). Worth pursuing if patient care excites you; you'll need a bachelor's in nursing plus an advanced degree and certification (Nexford University, ResumeKraft).
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Physician Assistant: Female PAs earn 90% of what male counterparts make. Strong demand in expanding telehealth; requires a master's and licensure (Nexford University, Sursangram).
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Marketing Manager: 61.4% women, 12% growth, 9,600 openings yearly (BLS). Women earn 16% less than men here--sharpen your negotiation skills; a bachelor's is often enough (Nexford University).
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Veterinarian: 65.6% women. Animal lovers fit naturally; you'll need a veterinary medicine degree (Nexford University).
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Computer and Information Systems Manager: 15% growth, 46,900 openings yearly to 2032 (BLS, bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm). Tech leadership suits experienced professionals (Nexford University, Udemy).
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UX Designer: 53% women in US. Empathy drives this role, with solid remote potential; bootcamps make entry more accessible (Udemy).
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Data Analyst: 26% women. Growing fast with AI; certifications can speed up entry (Udemy).
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HR Leader: Rising influence in 2026 diversity efforts. Blends people skills with strategy (BusinessWomen).
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Petroleum Engineer: High regional pay, e.g., $141,280 average. For candidates strong in math; bachelor's required (UND.edu).
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Surgeon/Physician: ~$250,000 average (ResumeKraft, 2025). Long training but high reward in specialized medicine (ResumeKraft).
Focus on healthcare for fastest growth; tech for flexibility.
Pay gaps stick around--16% in marketing, 10% for PAs (Research.com).
Healthcare Roles: Dominant High-Earners for Women
Healthcare delivers stability and growth for women, topping high-pay lists. Nurse practitioners lead with an 89.8% female workforce and 38% BLS-projected growth, fueled by aging populations and telehealth (Nexford University, USC.edu). Physician assistants back this up, with female PAs earning 90% of male pay; surgeons and physicians average ~$250,000 (ResumeKraft, 2025).
Gerontology specialists are climbing with care facility demands (USC.edu). Upsides include job security; downsides are lengthy training (e.g., 6+ years for NPs) and patient-facing stress. Skip this if direct care isn't your thing--look at admin roles instead.
Tech and STEM: Breaking into High-Salary Fields
Tech opens doors despite lower female shares, with remote access making it more appealing. UX designers hit 53% women in the US, leaning on empathy; data analytics at 26% women grows with business needs; senior tech management reaches 34% women globally (Udemy). Computer systems managers show 15% BLS growth to 2032 (Nexford University).
AI professionals sit at just 22% women but show transformation potential. Remote and hybrid models since 2020 make entry easier (Udemy). Low AI representation contrasts with high growth--start with certifications if you're switching fields.
Gender Pay Gap in Top Occupations – What the Data Shows
Women earn less in high-pay roles, though gaps shrink in healthcare. Marketing managers see women paid 16% less; PAs reach 90% of men's salaries (historical data, Research.com). Overall, women earned 84% of men's pay in 2020 (historical data, 2020).
Healthcare shows tighter gaps than marketing. Negotiate using data, target transparent companies; gaps connect to experience and hours worked.
Engineering and Executive Paths: Salaries and Outlook
Engineering pays well regionally--petroleum at $141,280 average, chemical at $121,860; North Dakota engineers average $107,662 (UND.edu, Research.com). Growth stays modest (3-7% BLS for chemical/electrical).
Female CEOs remain scarce at 6.2% of S&P 500 (historical data, 2022, Research.com). Go this route if you're strong in math and leadership; regional pay swings widely (e.g., higher in ND/MN).
How to Land These High-Paying Roles – Step-by-Step Guide
Make the transition with this checklist:
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Assess skills: Match healthcare passion or tech aptitude (e.g., empathy for UX, Udemy).
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Get credentials: Bachelor's plus advanced degree for NPs (ResumeKraft); bootcamps work for tech.
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Build experience: Patient care for medicine; projects for data roles (Research.com).
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Network: Use LinkedIn, join women-in-STEM groups.
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Apply strategically: Hunt for remote listings (RemoteJobAssistant).
Remote tech fits work-life balance better.
Female-Dominated vs Male-Dominated Fields: Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Female-Dominated (e.g., Nurse 89.8%, Vet 65.6%) | Male-Leaning (e.g., Engineering 3-7% Growth) |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | High stability, growth (38% NPs) | High regional pay (e.g., $141k petroleum, UND.edu) |
| Cons | Patient stress, long training | Lower female rep, modest growth |
Healthcare offers quicker stability; engineering suits technical strengths.
Evidence Pack
Top Careers Decision Matrix (Expected tendencies based on 2025 data; see sources for details):
| Job | Female % | Growth % | Pay Gap Note | Entry Req | Remote Potential | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | 89.8% | 38% (BLS) | Narrow | Master's + cert | Limited | Nexford |
| IT Manager | ~34% senior | 15% (BLS) | Varies | Bachelor's + exp | Yes | bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm, Udemy |
| Marketing Manager | 61.4% | 12% | 16% less | Bachelor's | Yes | Research.com |
No exact 2026 salaries in sources--focus on growth and representation.
Remote and Flexible High-Paying Options for Women
Remote tech roles like UX (53% women) and data analytics (26%) match work-life needs, boosted by post-2020 hybrid trends (Udemy, RemoteJobAssistant). Upsides: Flexibility; downsides: You need self-discipline compared to office structure.
Remote search checklist: Update LinkedIn with certs; filter "remote" on Indeed; join women-in-tech Slack groups.
Apply This to Your Situation
- Do you have healthcare passion or tech skills?
- Can you commit to 10+ years of training?
- Do you value remote flexibility over high patient contact?
FAQ
Which healthcare job has the highest female representation and growth?
Nurse Practitioner, with 89.8% women and 38% BLS-projected growth (2023-2032, bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm)--perfect for those with nursing backgrounds wanting to expand into primary care (Nexford 2025 analysis).
What's the gender pay gap in marketing management?
Women earn 16% less than male counterparts, per recent analysis--fight back by documenting achievements and negotiating firmly (Research.com).
Are there high-paying remote tech jobs for women?
Yes, UX design (53% women) and data analytics (26% women) offer remote flexibility, amplified by hybrid models (Udemy).
How does engineering pay for women compare regionally?
North Dakota averages $107,662 for engineers (higher than Minnesota's $99,657)--petroleum hits $141,280 nationally, but gaps persist (UND.edu).
What growth is projected for IT managers?
15% growth with 46,900 openings yearly to 2032 (BLS, bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm), favoring those with leadership experience (Nexford 2025 analysis).
Pick your top match from the matrix, then search LinkedIn for "remote nurse practitioner" or "UX bootcamp" today.
