Women underepresented in top ranks of business

Women represent more than half of the nation’s managerial and professional workforce and nearly half of the retail trade industry, according to a comprehensive new data book from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to "Women in the Workforce,” released in September 2009, women accounted for 50.8% of all persons employed in managerial, professional and related occupations in 2008, somewhat more than their share of total employment (46.7%).

Women’s share of managerial jobs declined as authority increased: women held 42.7% of positions in management, business and financial operations in 2008; 37.4% of management jobs; 30.1% of general and operations manager positions; and just 23.4% of chief executive positions. Women are the majority of managers in human resources (66.3%); education (65.1%); advertising and promotion (62.1%); public relations (60.3%); and finance (54.8%).

Asian women were more likely to work in management and professional occupations (46%) than white women (41%), black women (31%); or Hispanic women (24%).

Retailing and food manufacturing

Women comprised 48.8% of the total retail trade workforce, ranging from 16.9% in auto parts stores to 80.0% in gift stores. Women made up 64.8% of all workers at drug stores and pharmacies; 61.9% at department stores; 56.1% at general merchandise stores; 50.2% at gas stations; 50.0% at grocery stores; and 43.9% at specialty food stores.

Women comprised 37.0% of the total workforce in the food manufacturing industry: 63.0% in retail bakeries; 45.6% in sugar and confectionary products; 38.3% in seafood and other miscellaneous foods; 38.0% in non-retail bakeries; 35.4% in animal slaughtering and processing; 31.5% in fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty foods; 26.2% in dairy; and 25.6% in beverages.

Women were the majority of workers in growing sectors like financial services, leisure and hospitality, and health services, but were substantially underrepresented in traditionally male industries like agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities.

Download the complete 100-page report on our members-only Research page or visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.