5 Trades Where Women Are Breaking In—And Earning Six Figures

Women make up 47% of the total U.S. workforce but only 4% of workers in the skilled trades. That number has barely moved in decades—but underneath the headline statistic, something is shifting. In specific trades, in specific companies, and in specific training programs, women are entering at accelerating rates, earning pay that matches or exceeds their male counterparts, and building careers that demolish the myth that trades work is men's work.

The Department of Labor's 2025 workforce data shows that women in the skilled trades earn a median of 95.3 cents for every dollar men earn in the same roles—one of the smallest gender pay gaps in any industry. Compare that to the overall economy's 83.7 cents. The trades may have fewer women, but the ones who are there face less pay discrimination than almost anywhere else.

Here are five trades where women are making the biggest inroads, earning the highest wages, and changing the composition of the American manufacturing workforce.

The Numbers: Where Women Stand in the Trades

Before diving into specific careers, the baseline data tells an important story:

| Trade | Women (% of workforce) | 5-Year Growth in Female Workers | Median Pay (All Workers) | |-------|----------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------| | Welding | 5.2% | +38% | $48,000–$75,000 | | HVAC | 2.8% | +42% | $52,000–$90,000 | | Electrical | 3.1% | +29% | $60,000–$110,000 | | CNC Machining | 8.4% | +45% | $48,000–$85,000 | | Industrial Maintenance | 4.6% | +33% | $55,000–$82,000 |

The percentages are still small, but the growth rates are significant. CNC machining has seen a 45% increase in female workers over five years. HVAC is up 42%. These aren't just statistical noise—they represent thousands of women entering trades that were virtually all-male a generation ago.

1. Welding — The Fastest-Growing Trade for Women

Pay range: $48,000–$100,000+ | Women in workforce: 5.2% (up from 3.8% in 2020)

Welding has seen the most visible shift in gender demographics over the past five years, driven in part by high-profile women welders on social media, targeted recruitment by aerospace and defense employers, and welding programs at community colleges that have actively worked to create inclusive environments.

Why welding is attracting women

The old stereotype that welding requires brute strength is simply wrong. Modern welding—especially TIG welding and precision fabrication—rewards fine motor control, patience, hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail over raw physical power. Many welding instructors report that female students pick up TIG welding faster than their male classmates because the process rewards steady hands and careful technique over aggressive force.

Where the six-figure money is

Women welders earning six figures typically work in one of these specialties:

• Aerospace welding — TIG welding exotic alloys (Inconel, titanium, Hastelloy) for companies like SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and GE Aerospace. Pay: $70,000–$110,000
• Pipeline welding — 6G pipe welding on cross-country pipeline projects. Pay: $80,000–$150,000 with overtime and per diem
• Underwater welding — Commercial diving combined with welding skills. Pay: $80,000–$150,000+ depending on depth and project type
• Certified Welding Inspector — Moving from production welding to inspection/supervision. Pay: $70,000–$95,000

Organizations supporting women in welding

• American Welding Society (AWS) Women in Welding — Scholarships, mentorship, and networking specifically for women welders
• Women Who Weld — Nonprofit offering introductory welding workshops for women in multiple cities
• Workshops for Warriors — Veteran-focused welding training that actively recruits women veterans

Start your path with a welding certification program.

2. HVAC — Massive Demand, Massive Opportunity

Pay range: $52,000–$120,000+ | Women in workforce: 2.8% (up from 2.0% in 2020)

HVAC has the lowest percentage of women of any trade on this list, but the fastest growth rate—42% increase in five years. The reason is pure economics: the HVAC industry is facing a critical labor shortage, with an estimated 115,000 unfilled HVAC technician positions nationwide. Employers who once might have been hesitant to hire women are now actively recruiting them because they simply cannot fill positions with male applicants alone.

Why HVAC works for women

Commercial and residential HVAC service is fundamentally problem-solving work. Diagnosing why a system isn't cooling properly, tracing refrigerant leaks, programming thermostats and building automation systems, and communicating with customers about repair options—none of this requires exceptional physical strength. The heaviest regular lifting in HVAC is rooftop unit components (compressors, fan motors), and most of those tasks are team lifts or use mechanical assistance.

Where the six-figure money is

• Commercial service managers — Overseeing HVAC service operations for large building portfolios. Pay: $85,000–$120,000
• Controls specialists — Programming and commissioning building automation systems (BAS). Pay: $75,000–$110,000
• Business owners — Women-owned HVAC businesses often qualify for supplier diversity programs with large corporate and government clients. Revenue potential is significant
• Refrigeration specialists — Industrial and commercial refrigeration work (supermarkets, food processing) pays premium rates. Pay: $70,000–$100,000

Organizations supporting women in HVAC

• Women in HVACR — Industry organization providing scholarships, mentorship, and conference networking
• ACHR NEWS Women in HVACR Awards — Annual recognition program that highlights top women professionals
• NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) — Broader construction trades organization with HVAC-specific chapters

3. Electrical — The Highest-Paying Path

Pay range: $60,000–$130,000+ | Women in workforce: 3.1% (up from 2.4% in 2020)

The electrical trade offers the highest earning ceiling of any trade on this list, and possibly of any trade, period. Master electricians in major metros can earn $120,000–$150,000. Electrical contractors who start their own businesses can earn significantly more. And the path from apprentice to master electrician, while long (typically 8–10 years), is clearly defined and well-compensated at every stage.

Why electrical is attracting women

The electrical trade has benefited from sustained, deliberate efforts by unions and industry organizations to recruit women. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) have jointly funded women-in-electrical-trades initiatives since 2016, including targeted pre-apprenticeship programs, mentorship matching, and harassment prevention training.

The results are showing. IBEW reports that women now make up 7.2% of new apprentice classes—more than double the percentage in the existing workforce. As these apprentices progress, the overall percentage of women in the trade will continue to climb.

Where the six-figure money is

• Master electrician — Full journeyman license plus master's exam. Required to pull permits and oversee jobs in most jurisdictions. Pay: $90,000–$130,000
• Industrial controls specialist — PLC programming, VFD installation, and industrial automation electrical work. Pay: $80,000–$110,000
• Electrical contractor/business owner — Women-owned electrical contracting businesses can access government set-aside contracts and supplier diversity programs. Income potential: $100,000–$250,000+
• Electrical estimator — Experienced electricians who transition into estimating roles for large contractors. Pay: $85,000–$120,000

The pay equity advantage

Electrical work is one of the most transparent trades for compensation because union scale rates are published and non-negotiable. A woman journeyman electrician on an IBEW job earns exactly the same hourly rate as a male journeyman—$45–$70/hour depending on the local. This structural pay equity is one reason the gender wage gap in electrical work is nearly zero.

4. CNC Machining — The Silent Revolution

Pay range: $48,000–$100,000+ | Women in workforce: 8.4% (up from 5.8% in 2020)

CNC machining has the highest percentage of women of any production trade, and the number is growing faster than any other specialty—45% growth in female workers over five years. This is the quiet success story that most people outside manufacturing don't know about.

Why CNC is drawing women in

CNC machining is where manufacturing meets technology. Modern CNC work is less about manually turning handles and more about programming, setup optimization, and quality control. The work environment in a CNC shop is typically cleaner, more climate-controlled, and less physically demanding than welding, construction, or field service trades. These aren't the only reasons women are entering CNC at higher rates, but they remove some of the physical barriers that discourage participation in other trades.

The bigger factor may be education pipeline. Community college CNC programs report that women make up 12–18% of their enrollment—significantly higher than the current workforce percentage. Programs that emphasize the technology and precision aspects of CNC rather than framing it as traditional "shop work" tend to attract more diverse student bodies.

Where the six-figure money is

• 5-axis CNC programmer — Programming complex multi-axis machining for aerospace parts. Pay: $80,000–$110,000
• CNC production supervisor — Managing a machining department with 10–30 operators and machines. Pay: $75,000–$100,000
• Applications engineer — Working for machine tool or cutting tool manufacturers, training customers on equipment. Pay: $80,000–$110,000
• Quality engineer (machining background) — Using machining expertise to develop inspection methods and quality systems. Pay: $75,000–$100,000

Organizations supporting women in CNC and manufacturing

• Women in Manufacturing (WiM) — The largest organization dedicated to women in all manufacturing roles, with 25,000+ members. Provides scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, and an annual summit
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Women in Manufacturing Initiatives — Professional development programs and networking events
• NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) — Industry certification body that actively promotes diversity in CNC training programs

5. Industrial Maintenance — The Broadest Skill Set

Pay range: $55,000–$95,000+ | Women in workforce: 4.6% (up from 3.5% in 2020)

Industrial maintenance mechanics are the Swiss Army knives of manufacturing—they troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and control systems across every type of production equipment. It's one of the most intellectually demanding trades because the diagnostic scope is virtually unlimited.

Why maintenance is a strong path for women

Industrial maintenance rewards analytical thinking, systematic problem-solving, and continuous learning. The best maintenance mechanics aren't necessarily the strongest—they're the ones who can look at a complex failure, develop a theory about root cause, test it systematically, and fix the actual problem rather than just treating symptoms.

Women in maintenance consistently report that once they demonstrate competence—which typically takes 6–12 months—they experience strong acceptance from their teams. Maintenance work is intensely collaborative, and shops that are chronically understaffed (which is most of them) quickly learn to value any competent technician regardless of gender.

Where the six-figure money is

• Maintenance supervisor/manager — Overseeing a plant's entire maintenance operation. Pay: $80,000–$110,000
• Reliability engineer — Applying maintenance data and engineering principles to prevent equipment failures before they happen. Pay: $85,000–$115,000
• Specialized maintenance (robotics, CNC) — Technicians who specialize in maintaining high-value automated equipment. Pay: $75,000–$100,000
• Maintenance planner/scheduler — Organizing and optimizing maintenance workflows for large facilities. Pay: $70,000–$90,000

Breaking In: Practical Advice for Women Entering the Trades

If you're considering a trade career, here's what women who have successfully built careers in manufacturing recommend:

Choose your training environment carefully

Not all trade schools and apprenticeship programs are equally welcoming. Look for programs that:

• Have at least some female students currently enrolled (ask for numbers)
• Employ at least one female instructor or mentor
• Have explicit anti-harassment policies with real enforcement
• Can point to female graduates working in the trade

Find a mentor early

The single most consistent piece of advice from women in trades is to find a mentor—ideally another woman in your trade, but any supportive experienced tradesperson will help. Organizations like Women in Manufacturing, NAWIC, and trade-specific groups maintain mentorship directories.

Let your work speak

The trades are fundamentally meritocratic in a way many white-collar industries are not. A good weld is a good weld regardless of who made it. A properly diagnosed electrical fault is properly diagnosed regardless of the technician's gender. Focus on building your skills and earning your certifications. Competence earns respect.

Know your rights

Federal law (Title VII) prohibits gender-based harassment and discrimination in all workplaces. If you experience harassment, document it and report it—first to your employer's HR department, then to the EEOC if the employer fails to act. Many unions also have internal grievance procedures for harassment.

Connect with other women in your trade

Isolation is the biggest challenge women in trades report. Find your community. Attend Women in Manufacturing events. Join online groups. Connect with other female apprentices in your union hall. Having even one or two allies who understand your experience makes an enormous difference.

The Business Case for Diversity in Trades

This isn't just a fairness argument—it's an economic one. With 500,000+ unfilled manufacturing positions, the industry literally cannot afford to draw from only half the population. Companies that successfully recruit and retain women in skilled trades gain access to a talent pool their competitors are ignoring.

Deloitte's 2025 manufacturing workforce study found that plants with above-average gender diversity reported:

• 11% lower turnover in skilled trades positions
• 7% higher productivity (attributed to broader problem-solving approaches)
• 23% larger applicant pools when job postings explicitly welcome all genders

The math is straightforward: manufacturers that create inclusive environments for women will have a competitive advantage in hiring skilled workers for the foreseeable future.

For more context on trade career earnings, see our breakdown of the top 10 highest-paying trade jobs in 2026 and our analysis of why 7 skilled trades pay more than a college degree.

Workforce demographics sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey (2025), Department of Labor Women's Bureau, and Women in Manufacturing Association 2025 annual report. Pay data from BLS May 2025 estimates and HireBuilt employer data. Gender wage gap data from DOL Women's Bureau annual analysis. Individual outcomes vary by location, experience, certification, and employer.