Women comprise almost half of the U.S. workforce. In 2023, there were almost 74% of working moms with children under 18 years of age. Despite this, challenges persist as women earn just 82% of what men make per hour. WalletHub’s study reveals the best and worst states for working moms by comparing different metrics.
Here are the six worst states for working mothers:
Alabama
Alabama ranks as the worst state for working mothers with a score of 31.50 out of 100. The state’s performance is consistently poor across all metrics. It ranks 47th in both childcare and professional opportunities. It ranks 44th when it comes to work-life balance. This indicates a severe lack of support for working mothers, from inadequate childcare options to limited career advancement prospects. The harsh reality of working moms in this state highlights the need for urgent comprehensive policy changes.
Louisiana
Louisiana secures the second-worst position for working mothers, scoring a mere 32.02. The state ranks 51st in terms of child care, 50th in professional opportunities, and 38th in work-life balance. This paints a bleak picture for mothers trying to balance work and family life. These statistics reveal a challenging environment for mothers who are working. They struggle to find adequate childcare solutions and face significant barriers in their professional life. The need for improved childcare infrastructure and supportive workplace policies is critical.
Mississippi
Mississippi ranks third from the bottom for working mothers with a score of 32.60. The state’s performance is particularly concerning in work-life balance where it ranks 50th. Child care and professional opportunities are slightly better but remain dismal at 44th and 49th position respectively. These rankings showcase a state where working mothers face significant challenges in managing their personal and professional lives. The consistently low scores across all categories suggest a systemic lack of support for such professionals.
Nevada
Nevada places fourth last for working mothers, scoring 32.95 out of 100. The state shows poor performance across the board. It ranks 49th in child care, 42nd in professional opportunities, and 45th in work-life balance. This uniform low ranking across categories indicates widespread challenges for working mothers in the state. The challenges lie in limited career growth prospects, difficulties in maintaining a balance between work and life, along with no proper childcare options. It highlights the deeply rooted issues that require multi-faceted solutions to create a more supportive environment.
Idaho
Idaho ranks fifth from the bottom for mothers who are working, with a total score of 33.39. The state’s performance is particularly alarming in childcare and professional opportunities, ranking 51st and 50th respectively. However, it shows a surprisingly better ranking of 17th in work-life balance. This stark contrast suggests that Idaho may offer flexibility in balancing work and personal life. However, it severely lacks childcare options and growth opportunities in the professional field. This indicates the need for improvement in childcare infrastructure as well as the creation of inclusive professional environments.
South Carolina
South Carolina comes in the sixth position for working mothers, scoring 32.23 out of 100. The performance of this state is consistently below average across all metrics. It ranks 45th in child care, 43rd in professional opportunities, followed by 46th in work-life balance. These uniformly low rankings paint a picture of a state where working mothers face significant challenges in various aspects of their lives. The data underscores the need for a comprehensive change of policy to better support the demographic of professional mothers.
Here are the six best states for working mothers:
Massachusetts
Massachusetts stands out as the top state for working mothers. It boasts a score of 67.98 out of 100. The state excels across all metrics, ranking 2nd in child care, 7th in professional opportunities, and an outstanding 1st in work-life balance. This trifecta of high rankings indicates a supportive environment where mothers can thrive. The exceptional work-life balance score suggests policies and cultural norms that prioritize family time without sacrificing career growth.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island secures the second spot for working mothers with a commendable score of 67.68. The state shines in professional opportunities, ranking 1st, and work-life balance, ranking 2nd. While its childcare ranking of 14th is lower, it still falls within the top third nationally. This combination suggests a state where working mothers can find abundant career advancement opportunities while maintaining a healthy work and family life. The slightly lower childcare ranking indicates room for improvement.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia ranks third for working mothers with a strong score of 65.66 out of 100. It excels in child care with a rank of 1st and professional opportunities with a rank of 5th. Its work-life balance ranking of 7th, while slightly lower, is still impressive. The data paints a picture of a metropolitan area that offers top-notch childcare options and abundant career scope for working mothers.
Connecticut
Connecticut claims the fourth position for working mothers with a solid score of 60.99. The state performs exceptionally well in child care, ranking 3rd, and working-life balance, ranking 6th. Its professional opportunities ranking of 13th, while lower, still falls within the top quarter nationally. This combination suggests a state that prioritizes family-friendly policies and quality childcare, while also offering decent career prospects. The high work-life balance ranking indicates a culture that values flexibility and understands the demands of balancing work and family life.
Minnesota
Minnesota secures the fifth position for working mothers with a score of 60.95. The state ranks high in terms of child care and professional opportunities, coming at 4th and 2nd respectively. However, its work-life balance ranking of 16th, while still in the top third nationally, suggests room for improvement. This data indicates a state that offers excellent options when it comes to child care and career advancement. It also highlights the opportunities to enhance policies that promote work-life integration.
New Jersey
New Jersey comes in the sixth position for working mothers, scoring 57.83 out of 100. The state performs well across all metrics, ranking 15th in child care, 12th in professional opportunities, and 8th in work-life balance. The consistent performance across all categories suggests a well-rounded environment for working mothers. While not topping any single category, New Jersey’s approach indicates a state that recognizes the multifaceted needs of professional mothers.