Non-Traditional Careers for Women

Non-Traditional Careers for Women Non-Traditional Careers for Women The U.S. Department of Labor defines a non-traditional career for women as one in which 25% or less of those employed in the field are women (Nontraditional Occupations for Women.  U.S. Department of Labor, Womens Bureau).  It is hard to believe that, in the 21st century, the Department of Labor lists over 100 occupations that fall into this category, among them police officer and architect. It has been over a century since Los Angeles appointed its first female police officer.  More than 130 years ago,  Louise Blanchard Bethune,  the first female professional  architect, set up practice in Buffalo, New York (Companion to Women in the Workplace  by Dorothy Schneider and Carl F. Schneider, ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1993). Some Facts About Non-Traditional Careers for Women According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, in 2017 the median weekly earnings of women who worked full-time were only 82% of mens full-time median weekly earnings (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Highlights of Womens Earnings in 2017, BLS Reports.)Women are underrepresented in occupations across many occupational groups including those in the construction trades  and  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.Non-traditional occupations offer a woman higher entry-level wages and higher pay as she  advances in her career. 18 Non-Traditional Careers for Women When choosing an occupation, a woman should consider all the options available to her. There arent any occupations that a woman is incapable of doing based on her gender alone. As is the case for any individual, female or male, one will have to meet the educational requirements and other qualifications of the career he or she is considering. According to the Department of Labor, here are some of the occupations that are considered non-traditional for women (Womens Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, Non-Traditional Occupations.): Detective or Special Agent Detectives or special agents collect facts and gather evidence about suspected crimes. Minimum Educational Requirements: H.S. Diploma or Bachelors Degree (Varies by Police Department) Median Annual Salary (2017):  $79,970 Number of People Employed (2016): 110,900 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  5  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  5,000 Architect Architects design buildings, making sure they are functional, safe, and meet the needs of those who are going to use them. Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor of Architecture (5 years) Median Annual Salary (2017):  $78,470 Number of People Employed (2016): 128,800 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  4  percent (slower than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  5,500 Chef Chefs prepare food, supervise culinary workers, and run the kitchen in restaurants and other dining establishments. Minimum Educational Requirements: Work Experience or a Vocational, Associate, or Bachelors Degree in Culinary Arts Median Annual Salary (2017):  $45,950 Number of People Employed (2016): 146,500 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  10  percent (faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  14,100 Barber Barbers cut and style mens hair. Minimum Educational Requirements: Completion of a State-Approved Cosmetology Program Median Annual Salary (2017):  $25,650 Number of People Employed (2016): 56,400 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  13  percent (faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  7,600 Clergy Member Clergy members  are the religious leaders of houses of worship. Some work in schools, the armed forces, and prisons. They lead services and provide spiritual guidance. Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelors Degree Median Annual Salary (2017):  $47,100 Number of People Employed (2016): 243,900 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  8  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  19,900 Computer Programmer Computer programmers write code for software  applications and operating systems. Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelors Degree Median Annual Salary (2017):  $82,240 Number of People Employed (2016): 294,900 Projected Job Decline (2016-2026):  7  percent Projected Decrease in Jobs (2016-2026):  21,300 Engineer or Engineering Technician Engineers use their expertise in math and science to solve technical problems. Engineering technicians support engineers and scientists. Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Engineering (Engineer) / Associate Degree in Engineering Technology (Engineering Technician) Median Annual Salary (2017):  $79,180* Number of People Employed (2016): 2,776,000* Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  7  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations)* Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  194,300* *Includes all engineering and architecture occupations Construction and Building Inspector Construction and building inspectors make sure construction meets local building codes and zoning regulations. Minimum Educational Requirements: H.S. Diploma Median Annual Salary (2017):  $59,090 Number of People Employed (2016): 105,100 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  10  percent (faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026): 10,500 Railroad Conductor Railroad conductors coordinate the activities of freight and passenger train crews. Minimum Educational Requirements: H.S. Diploma Median Annual Salary (2017):  $60,300 Number of People Employed (2016): 41,800 Projected Job Change (2016-2026):  -2  percent Projected Decrease in Jobs (2016-2026):  900 Machinist Machinists use machine tools to produce precision metal parts such as titanium bone screws that are used in orthopedic implants, bolts of steel, hydraulic parts, and antilock breaks. Minimum Educational Requirements: H.S. Diploma Median Annual Salary (2017):  $42,600 Number of People Employed (2016): 396,200 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  2  percent (slower than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  7,900 Truck Driver Truck drivers transport goods between locations. Minimum Educational Requirements: H.S. Diploma and Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Median Annual Salary (2017):  $42,480 Number of People Employed (2016): 1,871,700 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  6  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  108,400 Firefighter Firefighters control fires, rescue trapped survivors, and sometimes provide emergency medical treatment. Minimum Educational Requirements: H.S. Diploma Median Annual Salary (2017):  $49,080 Number of People Employed (2016): 327,300 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  7  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  23,500 Pilot Pilots transport people and cargo on aircraft, including airplanes and helicopters. Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelors Degree and Commercial Pilots License Median Annual Salary (2017):  $137,330 Number of People Employed (2016): 84,000 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  3  percent (slower than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  2,900 Carpenter Carpenters build and install wood, fiberglass, and drywall structures. Minimum Educational Requirements: Apprenticeship Median Annual Salary (2017):  $45,170 Number of People Employed (2016): 1,025,600 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  8  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026): 83,800 Electrician Electricians install and maintain electrical wiring and other components in commercial and residential buildings. Minimum Educational Requirements: Apprenticeship Median Annual Salary (2017):  $54,110 Number of People Employed (2016): 666,900 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  9  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  59,600 Mason Masons build structures out of bricks, stones, and concrete blocks. Minimum Educational Requirements: Apprenticeship Median Annual Salary (2017):  $42,900 Number of People Employed (2016): 292,500 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026): 12  percent (faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  34,200 HVAC Technician HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair  heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Minimum Educational Requirements: Vocational Degree Median Annual Salary (2017):  $47,080 Number of People Employed (2016): 332,900 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  15  percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  48,800 Small Engine Mechanic Small engine mechanics maintain, inspect, and fix motorized equipment. Minimum Educational Requirements: H.S. Diploma and On-the-Job Training Median Annual Salary (2017):  $35,990 Number of People Employed (2016): 79,300 Projected Job Growth (2016-2026):  5  percent (as fast as the average for all occupations) Projected Increase in Jobs (2016-2026):  3,800 Additional Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,    Occupational Outlook Handbook; Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,    O*NET  Online