Over the past half-century or so, Utah women’s participation in the labor force has steadily increased at a rate of about 8% per decade. According to the most recent (2015) U.S. Census Bureau estimates, women in Utah make up 43.9% of the state workforce, which is slightly lower than the U.S. women’s share of the national workforce, 47.4%. In general, Utah women are about as likely to be employed as U.S. women, but Utah women are less likely to work full-time year round. Numerous factors influence Utah women’s experiences in the labor force, including such barriers to successful employment as trouble accessing affordable childcare and occupational segregation in lower-paying industries. 

This research snapshot focuses on three key areas: 

1) An overview of Utah women’s labor force participation, broken down by demographics,

2) An exploration of the industries and occupations where Utah women are most likely to work, and

3) A discussion of ways to increase Utah women’s success in the labor force.