U.S. Labor Market Shows Widening Gender Divide as Men’s Employment Falls
U.S. women have outnumbered men in the workforce for eight consecutive months, the longest streak since 2010. While overall September payrolls grew by only 29,000 jobs, well below forecasts, women’s employment rose by over 650,000 year-over-year, whereas men’s employment dropped by 1.2 million. This divergence is driven by sectoral shifts, with healthcare and education leading job growth, while male-dominated industries like manufacturing and mining have lost ground.
Key points
- Women outnumbered men in the U.S. workforce for eight straight months as of September, the longest period since 2010, according to Indeed.
- Men’s seasonally adjusted employment fell by approximately 1.2 million year-over-year, while women’s employment increased by more than 650,000 in the same period.
- September nonfarm payrolls grew by 29,000 jobs, significantly lower than the 84,000 consensus forecast, with men accounting for slightly over half of the net job growth.
- Healthcare, where women make up nearly 80% of workers, accounted for more than half of overall payroll expansion in September, though hiring slowed compared to the annual average.
- Male-dominated sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and transportation shed 125,000 jobs since December 2024, while construction added 83,000 jobs, largely driven by AI infrastructure buildout.
Background
Recent months have shown signs of labor market softness, with job openings dropping to 7.08 million in late September and consumer confidence falling to 2014 lows. The current gender divide in employment adds a new dimension to these broader economic headwinds, highlighting structural shifts in which industries are driving job creation.
How outlets are covering it
CNBC and Traders Union emphasize the unprecedented eight-month streak of women outpacing men in employment, attributing it to women gaining jobs rather than men losing them, a shift from the 2010 pattern. The American Action Forum provides a more granular sectoral analysis, noting that since December 2024, 765,000 of 759,000 net new jobs went to women, while men lost 6,000 jobs. AAF highlights that male-dominated industries hit by tariffs, such as mining and manufacturing, have shed 125,000 jobs, while healthcare and education added over one million jobs. All sources agree that healthcare is a primary driver of women’s employment gains, though CNBC notes that healthcare hiring slowed in September compared to the annual average, potentially limiting women’s gains in the short term.
Why it matters
The widening gender divide in employment signals a structural shift in the U.S. labor market, with female-dominated sectors like healthcare and education driving job growth while male-dominated industries struggle. This trend could have long-term implications for male labor force participation, wage growth, and economic stability, particularly as demographic shifts continue to increase demand for healthcare workers.
What to watch
Analysts will monitor whether the slowdown in healthcare hiring and continued weakness in male-dominated sectors will further widen the gender employment gap. Future jobs reports will be crucial in determining if the current trend is a temporary fluctuation or a lasting structural shift in the U.S. labor market.
- Men are losing ground in the labor market. Here's why CNBC
- Where Are All the Men? The American Action Forum
- U.S. labor market data show women extend employment gains as men lose ground Traders Union
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