Which occupations are hiring more women in NC?

<p>For Women&rsquo;s Equality Day, we wanted to understand where employment for women is growing.</p>

Author: Jamie Vaughn

For Women’s Equality Day, we wanted to understand where employment for women is growing. Using the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, we reviewed employment growth and found that in North Carolina from 2010 to 2018 the civilian employed population (16 years and over) has increased by 18.0%, to more than 4.8 million. During that eight-year period, employment among females increased by almost 350,000 (17.4%) while employment among males increased by more than 392,000 (18.5%).

However, women are getting jobs in some of the fastest growing occupations in NC at greater rates than men.  The three fastest growing occupations for employment for women are in Material moving occupations; Construction and extraction occupations; and Computer, engineering, and science occupations.  Material moving occupations (85%) and Computer, engineering and science occupations (50%) were the two fastest growing occupations for both sexes combined over the eight-year period, while Construction and extraction occupations employment grew for both sexes combined at a more modest 10%.

The story is similar when looking at total growth.  The three largest employment gains of women were in Management, business, and financial occupations; Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations; and Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations.  Management, business, and financial occupations (194,728) saw the greatest overall gain for both sexes combined while Material Moving occupations (88,320) saw the third highest gain and Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations (57,414) experienced the fifth greatest gain.

NC Civilian Industry Employment Growth by Sex, 2010 to 2018

  NC Female Employment Growth NC Female Employment % Growth NC Male Employment Growth NC Male Employment % Growth
Civilian employed population 16 years and over 349,838 17.4% 392,424 18.5%
Material moving occupations 27,991 135.3% 60,329 72.9%
Construction and extraction occupations 4,527 81.9% 17,413 8.1%
Computer, engineering, and science occupations 28,590 54.7% 66,334 47.9%
Transportation occupations 8,031 38.5% 35,568 30.3%
Management, business, and financial occupations 95,813 37.2% 98,915 32.1%
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations 14,261 26.0% 24,116 25.8%
Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations 46,862 24.6% 10,552 18.4%
Healthcare support occupations 23,560 22.6% 3,201 26.4%
Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations 56,474 18.8% 18,790 13.2%
Food preparation and serving related occupations 25,154 18.4% 23,431 23.7%
Production occupations 16,797 16.5% 24,589 12.3%
Protective service occupations 2,773 14.2% 3,420 5.0%
Personal care and service occupations 10,105 10.7% 2,473 7.9%
Sales and related occupations 21,369 8.7% 5,308 2.2%
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations 348 6.6% 935 3.6%
Office and administrative support occupations -29,897 -7.6% -11,552 -8.3%
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations -1,427 -18.4% 7,109 4.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2010 & 2018

 

Related Topics: