2025's Best US Cities for Women in the Workforce

The US labor market has undergone significant shifts in recent years, shaped by the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of hybrid work, and evolving workforce trends. After years of disruption—including the Great Resignation and the subsequent Great Return—the labor market continues to stabilize and adapt in 2025.

During the pandemic, the US labor market lost nearly 22 million jobs, with women disproportionately affected. Nearly 12 million women exited the workforce due to pandemic-related challenges, including increased caregiving responsibilities and the closure of schools and daycare facilities. This economic downturn was widely regarded as the first “women’s recession,” as women experienced greater job losses than men for the first time in a major economic contraction.

Now, women are re-entering the workforce at historic rates. By 2024, the labor force participation rate for working-age women (25-54) remained at record highs, signaling a strong recovery and a shifting employment landscape.

With this in mind, Checkr analyzed data from the US Census Bureau to identify the best US cities for women in the workforce today. This analysis highlights cities that offer strong opportunities for career growth, earning potential, and leadership advancement, and more.

We examined five key employment factors across the 100 largest US cities. Each factor was weighted appropriately, scaled, and combined into a workforce score (where a lower score indicates a better city for women in the workforce). Our findings offer valuable insights into the evolving job market and the best places for women to build successful careers in 2025 and beyond.

Key factors:

Now that we’ve revealed the key factors, let’s check out some important findings. 

Let’s start by taking a look at the best and worst cities in the country for our critical factors related to women in the workforce.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau

At the top of the list for 2025 is Lakeland, FL, once again proving to be one of the best cities for women in the workforce with a standout workforce score. Lakeland excelled across key employment metrics, ranking highly in workforce growth, women’s median income, and a narrowing gender wage gap. The city continues to provide strong opportunities for women in leadership roles, making it a prime destination for career growth.

Coming in second place is Ogden, UT, which boasts competitive salaries for women and a strong presence of women in management positions. The city has made impressive strides in gender wage equality, making it an attractive location for women looking to advance their careers.

Jacksonville, FL secures third place, thanks to significant growth in the number of women in the workforce. The city ranks among the top for women’s median income and continues to be a thriving hub for professional women, particularly in business and finance sectors.

Provo, UT, a rapidly growing city, takes the fourth spot, demonstrating strong job market expansion for women. Provo is recognized for its increasing number of women in leadership positions and overall economic opportunity.

Rounding out the top five is Greenville, SC, which has shown remarkable progress in reducing the gender pay gap while providing a supportive environment for women professionals. The city continues to attract a skilled workforce and offers ample opportunities for career advancement.

The rest of the top ten cities for women in the workforce include Colorado Springs, CO; Tucson, AZ; Fort Myers, FL; Nashville, TN; and Spokane, WA—all of which have demonstrated strong performance in key employment metrics, making them excellent places for women seeking career success in 2025.

At the bottom of the rankings for 2025, Hartford, CT emerges as the most challenging city for women in the workforce. The city struggles across multiple key employment metrics, with particularly low rankings in gender wage gap reduction and the percentage of women in management positions.

Not far behind is San Francisco, CA, a city known for its high cost of living but also one where women continue to face significant wage disparities and limited leadership opportunities compared to men. Despite the city’s strong job market overall, women encounter barriers to equal pay and career advancement.

Portland, ME lands in the third-worst spot, which may come as a surprise given its previous high rankings. However, the city has seen slower workforce growth for women and increased challenges in leadership representation over the past few years.

Rounding out the bottom five are Akron, OH, and Buffalo, NY, both of which struggle with low median incomes for women, limited workforce growth, and fewer opportunities for women in management roles.

Other cities rounding out the bottom ten include Rochester, NY; Harrisburg, PA; St. Louis, MO; Richmond, VA; and New York, NY—all of which have shown persistent challenges in closing the wage gap, increasing women’s workforce participation, and providing leadership opportunities.

For women looking to maximize their career growth, earning potential, and advancement opportunities, the top-ranked cities from this year’s report may offer better pathways to success.

Next, let’s dive into the individual scores for earning potential for women in the workforce, starting with the top cities where women’s salaries have grown the most throughout the past few years. 

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau

In recent years, women’s salary growth has been a key indicator of workforce progress, and in 2025, several cities have seen remarkable gains in median earnings for women. Among the top-performing cities, Lakeland, FL leads the way, experiencing one of the most significant increases in women’s wages. With a thriving job market and a narrowing gender pay gap, Lakeland has become a standout for women seeking strong earning potential.

Tucson, AZ and San Jose, CA also rank among the top cities for women’s salary growth. Tucson has seen steady economic expansion, particularly in healthcare and education, while San Jose—home to the heart of Silicon Valley—continues to offer high-paying opportunities in tech and business. Women in both cities have benefited from rising salaries, making them attractive destinations for career-driven professionals.

Provo, UT, and Albuquerque, NM have emerged as rising hubs for women’s wage growth. Provo, a city with strong economic momentum, has seen an increase in wages due to a growing presence of women in management roles. Similarly, Albuquerque has benefited from expanding industries, including technology and healthcare, which have contributed to rising salaries for women.

In Ogden, UT, and San Diego, CA, women have seen notable salary increases driven by economic growth and greater opportunities in leadership positions. San Diego, in particular, has made strides in closing the gender wage gap in high-paying industries like biotechnology and finance.

Nashville, TN, and Stockton, CA have also experienced impressive salary growth, with more women entering high-earning fields and securing leadership positions. Nashville’s booming entertainment and healthcare sectors have played a crucial role, while Stockton’s economic resurgence has led to better-paying jobs for women in various industries.

Rounding out the list, Colorado Springs, CO has made significant progress in boosting wages for women, thanks to a growing professional workforce and increased representation of women in management. With a strong job market and an increasing number of high-paying positions, Colorado Springs continues to be a promising city for women looking to advance their careers.

These cities highlight the positive trends in women’s salary growth across the country, reinforcing the importance of economic opportunity, wage equality, and career advancement in shaping the future of the workforce.

For women interested in pursuing management positions, here are the top cities that provide the most positive growth in that area of employment.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from US Census Bureau

Now, let’s take a look at the leaders in the growth of women in management positions. 

Women’s representation in leadership roles has been steadily increasing across the country, and in 2025, several cities stand out for their impressive growth in the number of women in management positions. Lakeland, FL, leads the way, with more women stepping into executive and managerial roles across various industries, from healthcare to business administration. This upward trend reflects Lakeland’s commitment to professional development and leadership opportunities for women.

Jacksonville, FL, and Reno, NV, have also seen remarkable growth in women in management. Jacksonville’s expanding financial and logistics sectors have contributed to more leadership positions for women, while Reno’s booming business climate—fueled by tech and manufacturing growth—has provided new pathways for women to advance into managerial roles.

Birmingham, AL, and Fort Myers, FL, are experiencing a surge in women’s leadership, particularly in education, healthcare, and corporate management. These cities have made strides in promoting workplace equity, ensuring that more women are securing decision-making roles and contributing to organizational growth.

In the Pacific Northwest, Spokane, WA, has seen a steady rise in female managers, driven by the city’s economic expansion in healthcare, education, and small business entrepreneurship. Similarly, Provo, UT, continues to provide increasing opportunities for women in leadership, particularly within its growing tech sector and startup ecosystem.

Charlotte, NC, and Palm Bay, FL, have also emerged as strongholds for women in management. Charlotte, a major financial hub, has seen more women ascend to executive roles in banking and business services. Palm Bay, with its expanding economy, has opened new doors for women to lead in sectors like engineering, government, and healthcare.

Rounding out the list, Colorado Springs, CO, has demonstrated strong growth in female management representation. As the city’s business and defense sectors continue to expand, more women are securing leadership roles, solidifying Colorado Springs as a great place for women seeking career advancement.

These cities highlight the progress being made toward gender diversity in leadership, offering women more opportunities to take on influential roles and shape the future of their industries.

Now, let’s take a look at the full rankings of US cities and how they compare across the key metrics that define a great city for women in the workforce. Whether you’re currently working or planning a return to the job market, this list serves as a valuable resource for identifying cities that offer strong financial opportunities, career growth, and leadership potential. By choosing the right location, women can position themselves for long-term success in an evolving workforce landscape. 

For more information on Check’s research or to request graphics or commentary about this study, please contact press@checkr.com. 

To rank America’s best cities for women in the workforce, Checkr analyzed five key factors from the US Census Bureau. The factors include the change in the size of the workforce, change in the number of women in management positions, change in median income, change in the wage gap between women and men, and change in the unemployment rate. Each factor was weighted appropriately by Checkr and scaled, resulting in the final rankings of the 100 largest cities in the country for the best places for women in the workforce. 

About the author

As Director of Communications, David tells the story of Checkr’s innovative product offerings and company achievements. David has successfully developed beloved brands through public relations at Fastly, Productboard, Ripple, and Dropbox.