Women hold 47% of all U.S. jobs but a small share of skilled-trade jobs. Among the 29 trades with survey figures, the highest share is 12.6% for building inspectors; in 7 trades it's under 3%.
Pay in these jobs is set by the trade and the place, and union and apprenticeship pay scales apply to everyone in the same step. Of the trades where women's share is above the middle, building inspectors pay the most, at a typical $67,380. Registered apprenticeship programs track women's enrollment, and many unions and states run pre-apprenticeship programs aimed at women; the Labor Department's Apprenticeship Finder lists them.
Share of workers who are women, by trade
Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Women | Typical pay | Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Inspector | 12.6% | $67,380 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Painter | 11.1% | $47,640 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Telecom Line Installer | 9.6% | $66,250 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | 9.4% | $62,240 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Pest Control Technician | 8.8% | $44,460 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Landscaper | 7.9% | $37,540 | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Appliance Repair Technician | 6.9% | $50,540 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Machinist | 5.8% | $57,050 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Flooring Installer | 5.5% | $55,870 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Tile Setter | 5.5% | $50,495 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Maintenance Technician | 5.2% | $48,330 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Sheet Metal Worker | 4.9% | $61,460 | Apprenticeship |
| Construction Laborer | 4.7% | $46,850 | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | 4.6% | $59,670 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Paving Equipment Operator | 4.6% | $49,920 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Auto Body Repairer | 4.2% | $51,680 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Electrical Lineworker | 3.8% | $96,805 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Construction Supervisor | 3.7% | $77,215 | 5+ years of trade experience |
| Electrician | 3.5% | $62,440 | Apprenticeship |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | 3.3% | $63,865 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Plumber | 3.1% | $61,430 | Apprenticeship |
| Carpenter | 3.1% | $56,155 | Apprenticeship |
| HVAC Technician | 2.7% | $59,590 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Drywall Installer | 1.9% | $53,860 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Diesel Mechanic | 1.8% | $60,355 | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Auto Mechanic | 1.8% | $48,885 | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Roofer | under 1% | $50,140 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Brickmason | under 1% | $62,950 | Apprenticeship |
| Concrete Finisher | under 1% | $57,245 | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Age and gender: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, median across metros. Some trades are grouped with similar jobs in the survey; each trade page says which.
For a look at the whole list by pay, see the trades ranked by pay.
Most women by number
A small share of a big trade can still be a lot of people. Estimated number of women working in each trade, from the survey's share and total:
BLS Current Population Survey, 2025: share of women times total employed in the survey's group, rounded.
More women and good pay
These trades have both a higher-than-usual share of women and above-middle pay ($57,050 or more):
- Building Inspector: 12.6% women, $67,380 typical pay
- Telecom Line Installer: 9.6% women, $66,250 typical pay
- Telecom Equipment Installer: 9.4% women, $62,240 typical pay
- Sheet Metal Worker: 4.9% women, $61,460 typical pay
- Heavy Equipment Operator: 4.6% women, $59,670 typical pay
- Machinist: 5.8% women, $57,050 typical pay
Getting started
Pay in the trades is mostly set by the job, the place and the step you're at, so the same rules apply to everyone on a crew. Three things help when you're starting out:
- Pre-apprenticeship programs, many run by unions, community colleges and state workforce boards, teach basic skills and lead straight into apprenticeship slots.
- Registered apprenticeships pay a set percentage of the journey rate that rises at each step, so you know what you'll earn before you sign.
- Federal contractors on large projects have hiring goals for women in construction trades, which opens doors on public jobs.
Common questions
What percentage of tradespeople are women?
It depends on the trade. In the 29 trades with survey figures, the share runs from under 1% to 12.6% (building inspectors). Across all U.S. jobs it's 47%.
Which trade has the most women?
By share, building inspectors at 12.6%. By number of people, construction laborers, with roughly 111,954 women.
Do women earn the same as men in the trades?
The survey we use doesn't publish women's pay trade by trade, so we don't estimate it. Union and apprenticeship scales pay the same rate for the same step.
How do I find a pre-apprenticeship program?
Search the Labor Department's Apprenticeship Finder, or ask your local union hall, community college or state workforce office.