Find a Job You Really Want In
The decision to have children is a profound one, and it’s becoming increasingly complex for today’s young adults. The balance between career aspirations, financial stability, and personal fulfillment weighs heavily on many individuals, especially those under 30.
Raising children is undeniably a challenging endeavor that demands time, energy, and considerable financial resources. However, it’s also an enriching experience that can bring immense joy and fulfillment when approached at the right time. While many people express their love for parenthood, there’s a noticeable trend among younger generations opting to delay having children, often prioritizing career development and personal growth first.
According to recent trends, millennials and Gen Z are increasingly focused on achieving financial stability before starting families. This delay in childbearing appears to be paying off, as women in their 30s, who generally experience greater financial security, are witnessing a surge in birth rates. This phenomenon raises an important question: how does having children at a younger age impact career trajectories for women, particularly in the evolving job market of 2026?
The Data
To explore this issue, we examined data on women aged 29-31 who held jobs between 2011-2015. Specifically, we analyzed the percentage of women in various job industries who had children by this age. Below is the full list, along with the top twenty jobs.
The data reveals that the highest percentages of women with children are found in occupations like Door-to-Door Sales Workers and News and Street Vendors, followed closely by Medical Assistants and Miscellaneous Metal Workers. Interestingly, a significant number of office positions, including Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks, also rank high on the list, indicating that many women with children work in traditional office environments.
However, a different picture emerges when we examine industry data:
The graph clearly shows that Health Services jobs, particularly roles like Medical Assistants and Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides, have the highest representation of women with children, while traditional office jobs rank lower.
Why These Jobs?
This data highlights a long-standing issue: women who have children before age 30 often find it challenging to pursue careers that demand higher education. The top five jobs with the highest percentages of women with children typically require at most an associate’s degree, making them more accessible to those who may have paused their careers for family reasons.
Positions like Door-to-Door Sales Workers and Medical Assistants require less formal education, allowing women to transition back into the workforce more easily after childbearing. While these roles are vital and demanding, they often lack the upward mobility found in higher-skilled professions.
Moreover, the age at which women typically become mothers has shifted, with many highly educated women waiting until their 30s. This delay correlates with improved career outcomes, as research indicates that women who postpone childbirth until after 30 generally experience less significant income loss compared to those who have children earlier.
Notably, studies show that women giving birth after 31 not only recover from initial income drops but often earn more over their careers than those who have children at a younger age.
In Conclusion
The choice to have children remains a significant consideration for women, often more so than for men. The financial repercussions of early motherhood are starkly different for women, who may endure career setbacks that men typically do not face. Interestingly, studies reveal that men who become fathers in their twenties often see career advancements and higher earnings, highlighting the systemic disparities that exist.
If you are a young woman contemplating your future, it’s worth considering that waiting to have children may offer better financial prospects and career stability. While the societal pressures to start a family can be overwhelming, prioritizing your career and personal growth before making this life-changing decision could lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Ultimately, every individual’s path is unique, and finding the right balance between career and family is a personal journey. With the evolving landscape of work and family life, understanding these dynamics can help you make informed decisions that align with your goals.
| Job Description | Mean (%) |
|---|---|
| SAL-Door-To-Door Sales Workers, News And Street Vendors, | 77.55% |
| HLS-Medical Assistants | 71.67% |
| PRD-Miscellaneous Metal Workers And Plastic Workers, Including | 71.57% |
| TRN-Bus Drivers | 70.50% |
| FIN-Tax Preparers | 68.97% |
| OFF-Postal Service Clerks | 68.97% |
| PRD-Tailors, Dressmakers, And Sewers | 68.75% |
| OFF-Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, And Samplers, | 68.63% |
| CMS-Religious Workers, All Other | 68.18% |
| OFF-Postal Service Mail Carriers | 67.01% |
| PRT-Private Detectives And Investigators | 65.96% |
| PRD-Food Processing Workers, All Other | 65.91% |
| HLS-Nursing, Psychiatric, And Home Health Aides | 65.82% |
| OFF-Mail Clerks And Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal | 65.79% |
| FFF-Miscellaneous Agricultural Workers, Including Animal | 65.65% |
| CON-First-Line Supervisors Of Construction Trades And | 65.52% |
| MED-Licensed Practical And Licensed Vocational Nurses | 65.38% |
| OFF-Bill And Account Collectors | 64.73% |
| PRT-Bailiffs, Correctional Officers, And Jailers | 64.50% |
| OFF-Loan Interviewers And Clerks | 63.95% |
| OFF-Payroll And Timekeeping Clerks | 63.76% |
| CON-Painters And Paperhangers | 63.64% |
| OFF-Billing And Posting Clerks | 63.14% |
| PRS-Childcare Workers | 62.87% |
| HLS-Dental Assistants | 62.61% |
| OFF-Credit Authorizers, Checkers, And Clerks | 62.50% |
| CLN-Maids And Housekeeping Cleaners | 62.43% |
| OFF-Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, And Processing | 62.07% |
| PRD-Packaging And Filling Machine Operators And Tenders | 61.96% |
| TRN-Packers And Packagers, Hand | 61.44% |
| OFF-Court, Municipal, And License Clerks | 61.29% |
| EDU-Teacher Assistants | 61.28% |
| CLN-Janitors And Building Cleaners | 61.19% |
| TRN-Cleaners Of Vehicles And Equipment | 61.18% |
| FFF-Graders And Sorters, Agricultural Products | 61.11% |
| PRD-Pressers, Textile, Garment, And Related Materials | 61.11% |
| OFF-New Accounts Clerks | 60.87% |
| OFF-Couriers And Messengers | 60.87% |
| CMS-Social And Human Service Assistants | 60.75% |
| MED-Respiratory Therapists | 60.56% |
| PRD-First-Line Supervisors Of Production And Operating | 60.48% |
| PRD-Butchers And Other Meat, Poultry, And Fish Processing | 60.40% |
| ENT-Photographers | 60.17% |
| OFF-Tellers | 60.00% |
| BUS-Cost Estimators | 60.00% |
| FIN-Appraisers And Assessors Of Real Estate | 60.00% |
| PRD-Miscellaneous Assemblers And Fabricators | 59.88% |
| MED-Diagnostic Related Technologists And Technicians | 59.82% |
| PRS-Hairdressers, Hairstylists, And Cosmetologists | 59.68% |
| HLS-Physical Therapist Assistants And Aides | 59.38% |
| CLN-First-Line Supervisors Of Housekeeping And Janitorial | 59.21% |
| CMS-Directors, Religious Activities And Education | 59.18% |
| SAL-Cashiers | 59.17% |
| MED-Radiation Therapists | 59.09% |
| PRD-Painting Workers | 59.09% |
| PRS-Personal Care Aides | 58.90% |
| Unemployed And Last Worked 5 Years Ago Or Earlier Or Never | 58.70% |
| OFF-Bookkeeping, Accounting, And Auditing Clerks | 58.39% |
| PRD-Laundry And Dry-Cleaning Workers | 58.26% |
| PRD-Electrical, Electronics, And Electromechanical | 58.18% |
| MGR-Farmers, Ranchers, And Other Agricultural Managers | 58.02% |
| OFF-Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | 58.00% |
| MED-Registered Nurses | 57.74% |
| PRS-Barbers | 57.69% |
| EAT-Cooks | 57.53% |
| PRD-Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, And Weighers | 57.45% |
| OFF-Secretaries And Administrative Assistants | 57.36% |
| HLS-Phlebotomists | 57.23% |
| SAL-Insurance Sales Agents | 57.18% |
| PRD-Bakers | 57.14% |
| EDU-Preschool And Kindergarten Teachers | 57.07% |
| OFF-Shipping, Receiving, And Traffic Clerks | 56.81% |
| MED-Dental Hygienists | 56.52% |
| EAT-Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 56.25% |
| OFF-Telephone Operators | 56.25% |
| OFF-Computer Operators | 56.25% |
| OFF-Dispatchers | 56.04% |
| HLS-Medical Transcriptionists | 55.88% |
| CMS-Clergy | 55.81% |
| PRD-Food Batchmakers | 55.81% |
| OFF-Insurance Claims And Policy Processing Clerks | 55.60% |
| BUS-Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, And | 55.51% |
| MED-Medical Records And Health Information Technicians | 55.42% |
| OFF-Word Processors And Typists | 55.38% |
| PRT-Security Guards And Gaming Surveillance Officers | 54.95% |
| OFF-Receptionists And Information Clerks | 54.83% |
| OFF-Data Entry Keyers | 54.81% |
| OFF-Stock Clerks And Order Fillers | 54.78% |
| EAT-Miscellaneous Food Preparation And Serving Related | 54.63% |
| PRD-Cutting Workers | 54.55% |
| MIL-Military, Rank Not Specified ** | 54.55% |
| TRN-Supervisors Of Transportation And Material Moving | 54.55% |
| FIN-Credit Counselors And Loan Officers | 54.51% |
| CMS-Probation Officers And Correctional Treatment | 54.29% |
| PRD-Miscellaneous Production Workers, Including Semiconductor | 54.16% |
| ENT-Miscellaneous Media And Communication Workers | 54.05% |
| SCI-Agricultural And Food Science Technicians | 53.85% |
| PRD-Sewing Machine Operators | 53.78% |
| PRS-Gaming Services Workers | 53.75% |
| HLS-Healthcare Support Workers, All Other, Including | 53.69% |
| TRN-Driver Sales Workers And Truck Drivers | 53.62% |
| OFF-Production, Planning, And Expediting Clerks | 53.31% |
| OFF-Information And Record Clerks, All Other | 53.27% |
| PRD-Medical, Dental, And Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 53.23% |
| TRN-Laborers And Freight, Stock, And Material Movers, Hand | 53.14% |
| FIN-Credit Analysts | 53.13% |
| OFF-Customer Service Representatives | 53.06% |
| MED-Opticians, Dispensing | 53.03% |
| PRD-Printing Press Operators | 52.94% |
| PRD-Welding, Soldering, And Brazing Workers | 52.94% |
| EAT-First_Line Supervisors Of Food Preparation And Serving | 52.81% |
| EAT-Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And | 52.69% |
| MGR-Food Service Managers | 52.37% |
| MIL-First-Line Enlisted Military Supervisors | 52.17% |
| PRD-Photographic Process Workers And Processing Machine | 52.00% |
| EAT-Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | 51.95% |
| EDU-Elementary And Middle School Teachers | 51.79% |
| SAL-Counter And Rental Clerks | 51.79% |
| MGR-Property, Real Estate, And Community Association | 51.75% |
| EAT-Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, | 51.59% |
| OFF-Interviewers, Except Eligibility And Loan | 51.48% |
| SAL-Real Estate Brokers And Sales Agents | 51.40% |
| EAT-Food Preparation Workers | 51.31% |
| OFF-Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll And | 51.19% |
| OFF-Office Clerks, General | 51.17% |
| OFF-File Clerks | 50.52% |
| OFF-First-Line Supervisors Of Office And Administrative | 50.31% |
| BUS-Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, And Farm | 50.30% |
| PRT-Lifeguards And Other Recreational, And All Other | 50.00% |
| EAT-Dishwashers | 50.00% |
| OFF-Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service | 50.00% |
| HLS-Occupational Therapy Assistants And Aides | 50.00% |
| TRN-Industrial Truck And Tractor Operators | 50.00% |
| SAL-First-Line Supervisors Of Retail Sales Workers | 49.96% |
| PRS-Miscellaneous Personal Appearance Workers | 49.51% |
| SAL-Models, Demonstrators, And Product Promoters | 49.41% |
| OFF-Financial Clerks, All Other | 49.38% |
| EAT-Waiters And Waitresses | 49.36% |
| OFF-Hotel, Motel, And Resort Desk Clerks | 49.19% |
| MED-Speech-Language Pathologists | 49.16% |
| HLS-Pharmacy Aides | 48.98% |
| MED-Miscellaneous Health Technologists And Technicians | 48.78% |
| HLS-Veterinary Assistants And Laboratory Animal Caretakers | 48.68% |
| MGR-Lodging Managers | 48.45% |
| OFF-Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | 48.28% |
| MED-Health Practitioner Support Technologists And | 48.25% |
| SAL-Retail Salespersons | 48.10% |
| MGR-Financial Managers | 47.92% |
| RPR-Miscellaneous Installation, Maintenance, And Repair | 47.83% |
| CMM-Database Administrators | 47.76% |
| FIN-Budget Analysts | 47.73% |
| MED-Clinical Laboratory Technologists And Technicians | 47.66% |
| SAL-Travel Agents | 47.62% |
| CLN-Grounds Maintenance Workers | 47.52% |
| ENG-Drafters | 47.27% |
| EDU-Special Education Teachers | 47.26% |
| TRN-Automotive And Watercraft Service Attendants | 47.22% |
| FIN-Accountants And Auditors | 47.12% |
| CMM-Computer Programmers | 47.11% |
| MED-Nurse Practitioners, And Nurse Midwives | 46.95% |
| FIN-Tax Examiners And Collectors, And Revenue Agents | 46.88% |
| OFF-Miscellaneous Office And Administrative Support | 46.86% |
| CON-Construction Laborers | 46.75% |
| FIN-Insurance Underwriters | 46.59% |
| CMM-Computer Occupations, All Other | 46.51% |
| SAL-Securities, Commodities, And Financial Services Sales | 46.48% |
| PRS-First-Line Supervisors Of Personal Service Workers | 46.46% |
| FIN-Financial Specialists, All Other | 46.43% |
| PRT-Detectives And Criminal Investigators | 46.30% |
| MGR-Medical And Health Services Managers | 46.25% |
| OFF-Reservation And Transportation Ticket Agents And Travel | 46.22% |
| SAL-Telemarketers | 46.10% |
| PRS-Recreation And Fitness Workers | 45.97% |
| MED-Emergency Medical Technicians And Paramedics | 45.86% |
| MED-Audiologists | 45.83% |
| MGR-Human Resources Managers | 45.68% |
| MGR-Administrative Services Managers | 45.65% |
| TRN-Taxi Drivers And Chauffeurs | 45.31% |
| ENT-Technical Writers | 45.16% |
| SAL-First-Line Supervisors Of Non-Retail Sales Workers | 45.15% |
| CMS-Social Workers | 45.06% |
| ENG-Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters | 44.57% |
| HLS-Massage Therapists | 44.53% |
| EDU-Secondary School Teachers | 44.46% |
| OFF-Correspondence Clerks And Order Clerks | 44.09% |
| MGR-Education Administrators | 44.07% |
| CMM-Software Developers, Applications And Systems Software | 43.98% |
| ENT-Entertainers And Performers, Sports And Related | 43.90% |
| SCI-Agricultural And Food Scientists | 43.48% |
| OFF-Statistical Assistants | 43.48% |
| PRS-Tour And Travel Guides | 42.86% |
| BUS-Training And Development Specialists | 42.48% |
| LGL-Miscellaneous Legal Support Workers | 42.47% |
| SAL-Sales And Related Workers, All Other | 42.47% |
| EDU-Other Teachers And Instructors | 42.33% |
| PRS-Miscellaneous Entertainment Attendants And Related | 42.27% |
| LGL-Paralegals And Legal Assistants | 42.14% |
| MED-Chiropractors | 42.11% |
| EDU-Other Education, Training, And Library Workers | 41.94% |
| MED-Physical Therapists | 41.75% |
| CMM-Network And Computer Systems Administrators | 41.67% |
| CMM-Computer Support Specialists | 41.55% |
| MED-Dietitians And Nutritionists | 41.45% |
| MED-Physician Assistants | 41.40% |
| MED-Other Therapists, Including Exercise Physiologists | 40.98% |
| BUS-Human Resources Workers | 40.86% |
| MGR-Transportation, Storage, And Distribution Managers | 40.82% |
| CMS-Counselors | 40.51% |
| PRS-First-Line Supervisors Of Gaming Workers | 40.00% |
| SAL-Sales Representatives, Services, All Other | 39.94% |
| SAL-Sales Representatives, Wholesale And Manufacturing | 39.41% |
| MGR-Miscellaneous Managers, Including Funeral Service | 39.21% |
| ENG-Civil Engineers | 39.18% |
| PRT-Police Officers | 38.95% |
| EAT-Bartenders | 38.91% |
| BUS-Compensation, Benefits, And Job Analysis Specialists | 38.89% |
| BUS-Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 38.61% |
| MED-Occupational Therapists | 38.54% |
| MGR-General And Operations Managers | 38.12% |
| MED-Nurse Anesthetists | 37.93% |
| PRS-Personal Care And Service Workers, All Other | 37.80% |
| ENG-Industrial Engineers, Including Health And Safety | 37.50% |
| BUS-Wholesale And Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products | 37.50% |
| SAL-Advertising Sales Agents | 37.28% |
| PRS-Residential Advisors | 37.14% |
| MGR-Chief Executives And Legislators | 36.99% |
| CMM-Operations Research Analysts | 36.97% |
| MED-Pharmacists | 36.96% |
| RPR-Maintenance And Repair Workers, General | 36.67% |
| PRT-Firefighters | 36.67% |
| PRT-Transportation Security Screeners | 36.36% |
| MGR-Industrial Production Managers | 36.36% |
| BUS-Compliance Officers | 36.36% |
| ENT-Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, And Related Workers | 36.36% |
| ENT-Designers | 36.06% |
| BUS-Logisticians | 35.94% |
| BUS-Meeting, Convention, And Event Planners | 35.75% |
| MGR-Social And Community Service Managers | 35.60% |
| CMS-Miscellaneous Community And Social Service Specialists, | 35.25% |
| MGR-Purchasing Managers | 35.24% |
| MED-Dentists | 35.05% |
| EAT-Chefs And Head Cooks | 35.04% |
| BUS-Fundraisers | 34.75% |
| SCI-Chemical Technicians | 34.38% |
| CMM-Web Developers | 34.16% |
| ENG-Electrical And Electronics Engineers | 34.09% |
| MGR-Construction Managers | 34.00% |
| EDU-Librarians | 33.96% |
| ENT-Musicians, Singers, And Related Workers | 33.33% |
| ENT-Dancers And Choreographers | 33.33% |
| ENG-Miscellaneous Engineers, Including Nuclear Engineers | 33.12% |
| BUS-Management Analysts | 33.01% |
| CMM-Computer Systems Analysts | 32.67% |
| ENG-Aerospace Engineers | 32.35% |
| PRS-Nonfarm Animal Caretakers | 32.32% |
| SCI-Environmental Scientists And Geoscientists | 32.14% |
| FIN-Financial Analysts | 31.96% |
| ENT-Editors | 31.85% |
| TRN-Air Traffic Controllers And Airfield Operations | 31.82% |
| CON-Carpenters | 31.58% |
| BUS-Market Research Analysts And Marketing Specialists | 31.46% |
| EDU-Library Technicians | 31.03% |
| MGR-Computer And Information Systems Managers | 30.77% |
| MGR-Marketing And Sales Managers | 30.51% |
| ENG-Architects, Except Naval | 30.39% |
| CMM-Miscellaneous Mathematical Science Occupations, | 30.16% |
| BUS-Agents And Business Managers Of Artists, Performers, | 30.00% |
| MGR-Public Relations And Fundraising Managers | 30.00% |
| FIN-Personal Financial Advisors | 29.41% |
| ENT-Announcers | 29.17% |
| PRD-Jewelers And Precious Stone And Metal Workers | 29.17% |
| SCI-Psychologists | 29.05% |
| SCI-Chemists And Materials Scientists | 29.03% |
| RPR-Computer, Automated Teller, And Office Machine Repairers | 28.57% |
| ENT-Artists And Related Workers | 28.03% |
| TRN-Refuse And Recyclable Material Collectors | 28.00% |
| ENT-Writers And Authors | 27.78% |
| EDU-Postsecondary Teachers | 26.77% |
| OFF-Library Assistants, Clerical | 26.42% |
| SCI-Miscellaneous Life, Physical, And Social Science | 26.29% |
| MED-Other Healthcare Practitioners And Technical | 25.93% |
| LGL-Lawyers, And Judges, Magistrates, And Other Judicial | 25.36% |
| SCI-Medical Scientists, And Life Scientists, All Other | 25.12% |
| ENG-Mechanical Engineers | 25.00% |
| ENT-Television, Video, And Motion Picture Camera Operators | 25.00% |
| ENT-Public Relations Specialists | 24.73% |
| MED-Optometrists | 24.39% |
| SCI-Miscellaneous Social Scientists, Including Survey | 23.94% |
| SCI-Biological Technicians | 23.81% |
| TRN-Flight Attendants | 23.29% |
| PRS-Baggage Porters, Bellhops, And Concierges | 23.08% |
| MED-Physicians And Surgeons | 23.08% |
| MGR-Advertising And Promotions Managers | 22.22% |
| ENT-News Analysts, Reporters And Correspondents | 22.22% |
| SCI-Physical Scientists, All Other | 21.89% |
| SCI-Urban And Regional Planners | 21.74% |
| MED-Veterinarians | 21.49% |
| SCI-Biological Scientists | 20.88% |
| EDU-Archivists, Curators, And Museum Technicians | 20.00% |
| PRS-Animal Trainers | 19.44% |
| MGR-Training And Development Managers | 18.75% |
| ENT-Actors | 16.67% |
| ENT-Producers And Directors | 14.18% |
| LGL-Judicial Law Clerks | 12.82% |
Author
Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.
