The Number of Women Dentists Grows Exponentially

Women in the United States have made significant strides in pursuing high-paying occupations over the past few decades, but they still face challenges in achieving parity in these fields. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, women now constitute 35% of workers in the country’s top 10 highest-paying professions, a substantial increase from the mere 13% in 1980. These coveted occupations encompass roles such as dentists, physicians, lawyers, and pharmacists, where workers typically earn more than $100,000 per year, well above the national average. Despite this progress, women remain the minority in nine of the 10 highest-paying fields, with pharmacists being the sole exception, where 61% of the workforce is female. Notably, women constitute 33% of dentists today, a four-fold increase from 7% in 1980. The share of women in medical and legal professions has also significantly increased, now at 38% and 40%, respectively. The gender gap persists in STEM-related fields, where women make up less than 10% of roles such as petroleum engineers and airplane pilots. The study highlights that women have made considerable gains in achieving advanced degrees required for these professions. Women now represent approximately half of the recipients of degrees such as Juris Doctor, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Medicine, and Doctor of Pharmacy. Click here to read more.