01
77.3%
of women ages 45 to 54 were in the labor force.
Women in this age group remained deeply engaged in paid work in 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2026Work and career data
Women and work
after 40.
Ten current U.S. statistics on work, education, earnings, and career change for women building their next chapter.
Last updated September 21, 2026
A clearer picture of midlife work
The numbers behind
what comes next.
A career decision after 40 is rarely just about a job title. It can involve experience, income, flexibility, confidence, and the kind of life work needs to support.
This page brings together recent public data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and AARP. Each figure links directly to its original source.
02
33.3M
people ages 45 to 54 were in the labor force.
That is the 2025 U.S. estimate for this midlife age group.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 202603
32.0%
of employed women ages 45 to 54 worked in professional occupations.
The figure covers roles such as healthcare, education, legal, arts, and related professional work.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 202504
6.3 years
was the median tenure for women ages 45 to 54.
This measures time with a current employer as of January 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 202405
49.6%
of employed women age 25 and older held a bachelor's degree or higher.
The 2025 annual average was 7.9 percentage points higher than the comparable share for employed men.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 202606
7.9 pts
separated employed women and men with a bachelor's degree or higher.
In 2025, 49.6% of employed women age 25 and older held a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 41.7% of employed men.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 202607
$1,231
was the median weekly earnings for women ages 45 to 54 working full time.
This was the highest weekly-earnings age group for women in the second quarter of 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 202608
24%
of workers age 50 and older planned a job change in 2025.
Among those planning a change, 40% wanted a new job and 16% planned to start a business.
AARP, January 202509
32%
of workers ages 40 to 49 had an outside gig.
Contract and freelance work were the most common ways participants earned that income.
AARP, January 202310
5.2M
additional U.S. jobs are projected between 2024 and 2034.
Healthcare and social assistance, along with professional, scientific, and technical services, are expected to lead that growth.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025Methodology and sources
Built for a conversation
grounded in reality.
This collection uses the latest available national figures from public government data and named AARP surveys as of September 21, 2026. Dates and populations differ by source, so each statistic keeps its own context rather than treating unlike measures as interchangeable.
The figures describe broad U.S. patterns. They are a useful starting point for reflection and research, not a prediction about any one person's career or income.
Cite this page
Creely, Stacey. “Women and Work After 40: 10 Career Statistics.” Find Yourself After 40, updated September 21, 2026.
https://staceycreely.com/career-change-statisticsReady to make sense of your next move?