High-paying careers for women

The gender pay gap persists, although there’s been some progress. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women now earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by men—19 cents more than in 1979, the first year for which figures were available.1 But not all jobs offer the same opportunities for working women.

According to that same report, various careers bring in high salaries for women: healthcare occupations, law, management, and technology jobs are among the top money-making positions.1

Curious about which occupations offer the most earning potential for working women? Per the BLS, these careers are among the most lucrative. 

CEO

Chief executives plan, coordinate, and oversee a company's operations. They work to ensure that their companies meet their goals. Chief executives work in a variety of public- and private-sector industries. Although they typically earn the highest salary of all management positions, they also work extremely long hours and are essentially responsible for the success of their companies.

Female chief executives earn a median annual income of $90,272.1

Pharmacist

Pharmacists manage and dispense medications to patients who have received a prescription from their doctors. Pharmacists also offer advice on medication usage. While most pharmacists work in grocery and drugstore pharmacies, others are employed in hospitals or in clinical settings.

Pharmacists must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and must be licensed. Pharmacists can obtain licensure by passing two professional exams. Women pharmacists make a median income of $98,280 per year.

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners coordinate patient care. Working independently or in collaboration with physicians, nurse practitioners provide either primary or specialty health care. They are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and must have at least a master's degree in the field and a state license.

Women nurse practitioners earn a median annual income of $98,332.

Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer and information systems managers—also known as information technology managers—devise, coordinate, implement, and analyze computer-related projects. Their responsibilities may involve direct work in both software and hardware, web design database development, as well as the overarching job of designing a company's IT approaches and strategies.

Most IT managers possess a bachelor's degree in a related field, although many possess more specific graduate degrees. Female IT managers earn a median annual income of $89,804.

Lawyer

Lawyers counsel and represent individual clients, businesses, non-profits, or government organizations on legal issues or in legal disputes. Becoming a lawyer requires a four-year bachelor's degree and three years of law school training.

In order to work professionally in the United States, lawyers must take and pass their state's bar examination. Female attorneys earn a median annual income of $91,624.