Historically, women have faced gender inequality, often working in male-dominated careers. But the good news is the gender pay gap is narrowing, and more females than ever are landing some of the highest-paying, women-led careers, many earning six-figure salaries, allowing them to call the shots. These roles highlight significant progress and offer inspiring paths for professional women today.
10 Highest-Paying, Women-Led Careers In 2025
For centuries, the boardroom has been dominated by prejudice, often insisting that men are simply more fit for leadership. A staggering 78% of working women have been labeled “too emotional” or “too sensitive” compared to 11% of men. Consequently, it’s no surprise that only six percent of CEOs are female. However, those statistics are changing in 2025, as more top-paying professions are dominated by women, making huge contributions to the workforce and major impacts on society. To recognize this progress, Resume Genius released its 2025 Highest-Paying, Women-Led Careers Report, showcasing careers in which women are excelling and outnumbering men.
The researchers at Resume Genius sourced data from the Women’s Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs in which women outnumbered men (and make up more than 50% of the industry) were ranked according to their annual median salary. Here are those rankings, along with the percentage of women in the field and number of jobs, representing some of the most prominent women-led careers.
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Nurse Anesthetist ($197,523): This role is comprised of 55% women and 349,600 jobs. You would be responsible for administering anesthesia and providing patient care before, during, and after procedures. A bachelor’s degree in nursing, a registered (RN) license, and a minimum of one year’s experience in acute care (e.g., in an ICU) are required. Then, you must complete a graduate-level accredited nurse anesthesia program and pass a certification exam.
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Pharmacist ($128,132): This field has 57% women and 337,700 jobs. Your job would consist of dispensing medications and offering guidance on their usage and dosage. Plus, you would help healthcare teams with dosage, interactions, and side effects while supporting overall patient health. To qualify, you need a bachelor’s degree program in a science-related field and a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy school, pass two key exams, and get licensed in the state where you plan to practice.
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Physician Assistant ($115,573): Physician assistant (PA) careers include 64% women and 153,400 jobs. As a PA, you examine and treat patients under the supervision of a physician. You help perform physical exams, prescribe medications, and treat physical injuries such as suturing or setting fractures. You need a bachelor’s degree, plus a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from an accredited program before passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
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Veterinarian ($115,521): Veterinarian fields include 63% women and 88,200 jobs. As a veterinarian, you take care of the health and well-being of animals. Plus, you diagnose and treat medical conditions or diseases in pets and livestock. You must earn a bachelor’s degree, followed by earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary college. You’ll also need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
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Nurse Practitioner ($114,981): Nurse practitioner careers are made up of 87% women and 349,600 jobs. Your role is to provide care by assessing patient health and creating health management and promotion plans. You must first graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and get a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Then you can complete a master’s degree (MSN) or doctorate (DNP) degree in nursing practice.
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Judge, Magistrate, and Other Judicial Workers ($100,993): These roles are 54% women and account for 41,700 jobs. These positions require you to research legal issues, review evidence, and preside over hearings to ensure fair legal proceedings. You would also use the law to resolve disputes and issue sentences across a range of cases. You’re required to have a bachelor’s degree in order to complete three years of law school. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is usually required.
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Human Resources (HR) Manager ($92,335): This category includes 75% women and 208,900 jobs. HR managers oversee a company’s administrative needs, including recruitment, hiring, and employee relations. You would consult regularly with executives on strategic planning and employee benefit programs and deal with challenges and disputes to optimize the company’s efficiency and productivity. If you’re interested in HR management, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or practical experience in HR or related areas.
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Marketing Manager ($85,327): Marketing manager positions are made up of 61% women and 411,300 jobs. As a marketing manager, you’re charged with campaigns to promote your company’s goods or services. You would develop business strategies and oversee market research to stay informed about customer needs. Most marketing managers have attained a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
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Physical Therapist ($82,476): Physical therapist jobs are comprised of 58% women and 259,200 jobs. Physical therapists help patients improve physical movement, reduce pain, and recover from injuries. They create personalized exercise plans and monitor patient progress to enhance mobility and prevent future injury. If you’re interested, complete a bachelor’s degree and a physical therapy program to become officially licensed.
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Technical Writer ($82,147): Technical writer roles include 56% women and 50,100 jobs. Technical writers simplify complex technical information to create easy-to-understand documents, manuals, or guides for consumers or company staff. Typically, you need a bachelor’s degree in English, communication, or journalism, or technical background experience or expertise in a technical subject.
A Final Wrap On Highest-Paying, Women-Led Careers
“If you’ve put in the work but your value isn’t recognized, it may be time to find an employer who will,” asserts Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius. “Don’t be afraid to ask for a salary increase; career growth starts with knowing your worth and refusing to settle for less.”
Dominique Vatin, career expert at Resume Genius, added, “Continue learning, as it’s a powerful career accelerator. Keep gaining new skills, as it keeps you competitive and sets the stage for advancement. For women looking to boost their careers, don’t be afraid to look into developing your technical skills. With the advancement of AI across all industries, a little knowledge in the right field can go a long way.”
Just under 10% of CEOs in America’s top companies are female, which can create hopelessness for young women who want to become a C-suite executive. But the fact that female CEOs outperformed their male counterparts in 2024, bringing in five percent more revenue, brightens the hope that, as a woman, you can thrive in any of the highest-paying, women-led careers.
Credit: Forbes.com
