Jobs for Women That Pass the Bechdel Test

Being a working woman in 2026 presents unique challenges. While progress has been made, women still earn approximately $0.77 for every dollar their male counterparts make, with even more pronounced disparities for women of color. The wage gap persists across various industries, but some sectors offer significantly more equitable opportunities than others.

Much like the Bechdel Test assesses the representation of women in film, we wondered if we could apply a similar evaluation to the job market. Where can women build fulfilling careers, collaborate meaningfully with colleagues of all genders, and earn competitive wages?

Our analysis identifies jobs that provide women with the most equal opportunities and highlights those that fall short.

Jobs That Pass the Bechdel Test

1. Life, physical, and social science occupations
2. Federal government workers
3. Educational services
4. Community and social services occupations
5. Real estate and rental and leasing
6. Architecture and engineering occupations
7. Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations
8. Public administration
9. Non-profits
10. Computer and mathematical occupations

Continue reading to learn how we determined which jobs provide exceptional opportunities for women and which ones leave them behind.

How We Figured This Out

We analyzed 48 fields based on the following criteria:

• The percentage of women’s earnings compared to men’s in the position—the higher the percentage, the better.
• The percentage of women in the occupation—the higher the percentage, the better.
• The median earnings for women—the higher the earnings, the better.

The wider the wage gap, the worse the opportunities for women in that field. A job cannot be deemed equitable if women earn significantly less than their male colleagues and face barriers to promotions.

Next, we examined the percentage of women in each field. While it’s encouraging to see women entering traditionally male-dominated industries, it can pose challenges, including limited mentorship opportunities. Additionally, research indicates that women are more likely to promote other women, which can impact career advancement in male-heavy fields.

Lastly, we excluded any industries with a median income below $40,000 (a concerning 17) before ranking based on median income. We believe earning less than a living wage is not advantageous for women.

All of our data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS.

1. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

Median Earnings: $63,226
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 88%
% Of Women In Field: 46.8%

The top job category for women is in life, physical, and social science occupations. This broad field includes exciting roles such as biochemists and psychologists. Women in this sector earn a healthy median salary of $63,226 per year, with a minimal wage gap of only 12%. Additionally, the gender ratio is nearly balanced.

2. Federal Government Workers

Median Earnings: $62,718
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 88%
% Of Women In Field: 44%

Government jobs are known for their commitment to diversity and transparent salary brackets. Although women’s earnings in federal jobs still lag behind, the gap is smaller than in many other sectors.

3. Educational Services

Median Earnings: $49,440
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 88%
% Of Women In Field: 65.3%

Education has historically been a field predominantly occupied by women, and that trend continues with women holding 65% of jobs in educational services. This environment fosters collaboration and mentorship among female colleagues.

4. Community and Social Services Occupations

Median Earnings: $45,904
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 94%
% Of Women In Field: 66.1%

This is the lowest-paying industry on our list, with a median pay of $45,904 for women. Jobs in this category include social workers, therapists, and counselors—crucial roles within communities, albeit not the highest paid. Nevertheless, women in this field benefit from earning 94% of what their male counterparts make.

5. Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Median Earnings: $46,916
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 90%
% Of Women In Field: 62.7%

Real estate offers relatively equitable opportunities for women, with women holding 63% of positions in this field and earning 90% of what their male colleagues do. A significant advantage is that many real estate roles do not require a four-year degree, making this a viable option for those seeking career paths without a traditional college education.

6. Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Median Earnings: $73,701
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 87%
% Of Women In Field: 16.1%

Women in architecture and engineering earn a commendable annual salary of $73,701. While they earn only 13% less than their male counterparts, the representation of women in this field is low at just 16%. This means that in a typical meeting, a woman may be the sole female voice at the table.

7. Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Occupations

Median Earnings: $60,940
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 75%
% Of Women In Field: 74.4%

Women comprise 74% of the workforce in healthcare technical roles, which span multiple education levels and offer diverse opportunities. Women earn an impressive median salary of $60,940, although male counterparts earn 25% more on average.

8. Public Administration

Median Earnings: $51,795
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 78%
% Of Women In Field: 74%

Public administration encompasses various roles, including those in human resources. Although the wage gap in this sector is notably wider at 22%, it still provides more equitable opportunities for women, many of whom earn a living wage and work alongside other women.

9. Non-Profits

Median Earnings: $50,014
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 86%
% Of Women In Field: 60%

Women seeking to make a difference should consider careers in the non-profit sector, where women make up 60% of the workforce. This field offers a diverse environment that transcends gender.

10. Computer and Mathematical Occupations

Median Earnings: $75,914
Amount Earned For Every Male Dollar: 85%
% Of Women In Field: 26.4%

Although women represent only 26% of the workforce in computer and mathematical occupations, those who do enter the field can expect high salaries and a relatively small wage gap if they are prepared to be among a minority of women in the workplace.

Some Jobs Have a Long Way to Go

Women in the ten job categories discussed above enjoy better-than-average earnings, more diverse work environments, and greater wage equity compared to many other professions.

However, not all fields offer such favorable conditions. While no job has achieved complete pay equality, certain industries present alarming disparities. For instance, female social service workers earn 94% of what their male colleagues make, whereas women in legal professions earn only 55% of their male counterparts’ wages. These discrepancies highlight the ongoing challenges women face in achieving pay equity.

Addressing these disparities is essential. While there is no single solution to rectify these complex issues, women can take proactive steps to tackle job inequality. One approach is to seek employment at companies committed to diversity in all forms. Additionally, women can utilize salary calculators to assess how their earnings compare to industry standards.

Below is an alphabetical list of how the industries we studied performed across the categories we analyzed.

How Jobs Did on the Bechdel Test

Author

Kathy Morris

Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.