Lifetime Difference in Earnings: Traditional vs. Nontraditional Career

One of the big reasons females should consider a nontraditional career is the fact that they often pay 20 to 30% higher wages (and oftentimes more) than the traditional careers they typically pursue. The chart below illustrates this difference. The difference in earnings over the lifetime of a female as a childcare worker as opposed to an aircraft maintenance technician is over $1.3 million dollars. What a difference that can make in whether a female is economically self-sufficient or not!

Traditional vs. Nontraditional Career

Lifetime Difference in Earnings

Traditional Career	Nontraditional Career
Child Care Worker	Aircraft Maintenance Technician
$9.28/hour* $19,300/year	$25.59/hour* $53,220/year
$772,400 over 40 years	$2,128,800 over 40 years
*Median salary nationally - Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010

Below are the annual median salaries for some other nontraditional careers for women:

Computer software developer - $93,350*

HVAC Installer/Mechanic - $43,640*

Carpenter - $39,990*

Automotive Service Technician - $36,610*

Action Step: How can you share information on nontraditional careers with your female students, clients, daughters, nieces, etc.? Check out this link for Myths & Facts About Women in Nontraditional Occupations. How can you use this information with the females you know?

Source: Salary information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.