As we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th, it's a time to address the progress made by women in the workplace and focus on the path ahead for achieving true gender equality and equity. In 2021, I reported for Forbes.com that gender discrimination was alive and well in the workplace. The young doctor told me that she masked up and took her place around the operating table with the other male physicians at a major hospital in the Northeast. The lead surgeon scanned all four of his team members and said, “Good morning, Gentlemen.” The young woman’s eyes arched. She said, “Good morning Dr. Taylor,” hoping to get appropriate recognition. The lead surgeon ignored her and went on with the operation. When she brought it up with the department chair, he told her she was being too sensitive and over-reacting to the situation. Her male counterparts didn’t seem to understand or care that she might have felt dismissed, invisible and insignificant. To some, this might seem like a harmless event, but it’s symptomatic of an attitude that often persists under the radar in many different workplaces—and continues even into 2024.
Sadly, recent research finds that 73% of women have experienced workplace gender bias in the last year, and 57% cite gender bias in the workplace at some point. But only 14% report it because they think it won’t make a difference, are unsure it’s a valid complaint or feel uncomfortable reporting it. Of those who do report, more than half feel that the issue wasn’t properly addressed. To offset gender bias and enhance their impact, women in professional fields should seize every opportunity to contribute valuable insights in meetings, says Dominique Vatin, career expert at CV Genius. “Always make a point to deliver projects efficiently and demonstrate a strong work ethic—because the expectations placed on women in leadership roles are, for better or worse, very high.” She adds that maintaining a firm presence in discussions ensures a woman’s voice is heard and respected, regardless of who’s in the meeting room.”
A new report reveals that there’s good news on the horizon, too. Resume Genius published their 2024 Highest Paying, Women-Led Careers Report, sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report compiles the top 10 highest-paying jobs where women outnumber men. Healthcare and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields offer top salaries for women. Based on the Resume Genius analysis, the top 10 highest-paying, women-led careers in 2024 are listed below, along with median salary, proportion of women, estimated job growth and educational requirements.
Women targeting managerial and senior roles who want to enter and excel in high-earning positions can set the stage with specialization and continuous learning in their fields, according to Alana Gibson, chief operating officer of DGR Legal. She notes that women targeting managerial and senior roles should aim for certifications or additional training that distinguish them in these niches. “Leadership roles require not just technical expertise but also soft skills such as strategic thinking and effective communication—areas in which women often excel and can leverage to their advantage.”
Corissa Peterson, career expert at Resume Genius adds that women wanting to advance their careers in high-paying fields must be proactive. "Beyond building a supportive network of colleagues and managers who will vouch for you, it's key to express your career aspirations clearly and confidently,” she says. “If opportunities for advancement or managerial positions seem scarce, initiate conversations with your superiors about your career goals. Demonstrating your readiness to take on more and pointing out where you can add value can make a difference.”
According to Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius, "While it's true that men continue to be paid higher wages for the same work as women across the job market, the growing leadership of women in high-paying healthcare and STEM fields is a positive sign.” She concludes that traditional barriers are being broken, plus there’s an increasing acknowledgment of women's contribution to the advancement of these fields. “As we continue to advocate for equality and pay equity, these achievements remind us that, although there's still a distance to cover, the path we're on is leading toward meaningful progress.”
