01
76.8%
of women ages 45 to 54 were in the labor force.
Women in this age group remained deeply engaged in paid work in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025Work 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 July 22, 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
32.9M
people ages 45 to 54 were in the labor force.
That is the 2024 U.S. estimate for this midlife age group.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 202503
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
41.5%
of Americans ages 40 to 54 held a bachelor's degree or higher.
The estimate reflects educational attainment in 2024.
U.S. Census Bureau, 202506
40.1%
of women ages 25 and older held a bachelor's degree or higher.
The 2024 figure was higher than the comparable share for men.
U.S. Census Bureau, 202507
$57,520
was median annual earnings for women working full time, year round.
This is the 2024 national median reported by the Census Bureau.
U.S. Census Bureau, 202508
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
19M
job openings a year are projected across U.S. occupations.
The estimate is an annual average for 2024 through 2034, largely driven by replacement needs.
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 July 22, 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 July 22, 2026.
https://staceycreely.com/career-change-statisticsReady to make sense of your next move?